Man released on bail in Keith Ryan case

ANGRY SCENES IN LIMERICK COURT TODAY

The two men charged in relation to the death of Keith Ryan have appeared in court today.Thomas Ryan of Shanabooly Road, Ballynanty and Tony O'Brien of Baker Place were both charged with assaulting Keith Ryan causing him harm.

It emerged in today’s case that Gardai will be bringing more serious charges against the two men when a file is fully prepared for the D.P.P.

Detective Sgt Seamus Nolan who was giving evidence in the opening session today said that Thomas Ryan and Tony O Brien had punched and kicked Keith Ryan repeatedly about the face and head causing substantial injuries resulting in his death.The detective appealed to the judge not to grant the two men bail on the grounds that they might flee the jurisdiction.

Tony O'Brien was denied bail, however Judge Tom O Donnell granted Thomas Ryan bail. Gardai then had to restrain the victim’s family who shouted at the accused after the bail was granted.

Keith Ryan was beaten and left to die on Thursday night June 25th under the Shannon bridge in Limerick city.

Both men will appear again on June 14th.

Gardai seek dead mans family

The man who’s body was pulled from the river Shannon yesterday has still not been named by Gardai. The body of the man in his fifties was taken from the river yesterday morning near the Boat club around 7:45am.

Gardai say they are confident of his identity but have failed so far to locate any next of kin and will not release his name until all family members have been informed.

Person tries to throw dog from moving vehicle

People out in Raheen were witness to a horrendous sight on Sunday when someone attempted to throw a dog out of a moving vehicle.

The person ended up pulling over and dragging the dog out of the car, abandoning him at the side of the road. LAW (Limerick Animal Welfare) was called and the dog was taken into care and the welfare is now appealing for a home for the 10 month old brown Spaniel Labrador cross, Charlie.

Niamh Allen, Vice Chairperson of LAW told the Limerick Leader that “Unfortunately this sort of thing happens quite often. If people cannot keep a dog for whatever reason they could call a vet or us”.

The dog sustained no injuries from the ordeal.Anyone interested in Charlie should contact LAW on 061 336740.

Divorce on the rise in Limerick

The Limerick independent is reporting today that divorce figures are on the increase in Limerick. There is a dramatic rise in divorce figures from 2003 to 2004.

In 2003 there was a total of 105 divorces in Limerick, but in 2004 there was 176 divorces in the city and county. That is an increase of 71 in one year.A limerick solicitor says , “in virtually all cases the children stay with the mother although there are some when the children spend about half their time with each parent”

He believed that the figure should be a lot higher because most separated couples don’t bother going through the legal process of divorce due to the expense.

And they say love costs nothing.

Council to seek injunction against Palaskenry protesters

I'M THE ONLY WATER SOURCE IN THIS VILLAGE

The County Council is expected to proceed with an application for an injunction against the protesters and residents of Palaskenry after they halted work on a pipeline project again yesterday.

The project which has been stopped several times before and is designed to re-source the town’s water supply which is currently coming from a local lake. The council wants the towns supply coming from the river Deel. The residents of Palaskenry are having none of it. They say the river is polluted.

Early yesterday when work on the project started again the residents staged a blockade at a white line that they had painted across the road about half a mile from the village where they say the workers will not get past. They stood on front of the digging machines. So Tools had to be put down again.

At this point the protesters knew they were there for the long haul, bringing picnic tables and chairs to the "front line" to stage a sit in. They say they will stay there for as long as it takes for the County council to listen to there calls.

One local resident said

I've had this water all my life. There is no question about the quality of the water so why do we have to fight for it. They have chosen to change it without a consultation process being held here, they had one in the neighboring village.

The council in defense have said it's a supply and demand issue. They say there isn't enough water in the lake to sustain a growing Palaskenry.

EWTN getting high Limerick viewership

LIMERICK PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR SOME NUN ACTION

According to Ian Murray ,the regional marketing manager of the catholic tv station EWTN, huge numbers of Limerick people are tuning their way.

And by the looks of it,EWTN(Eternal World Television Networks) are taking full advantage of this.They have sent Mr Murray to Limerick to promote the station even further here.His port of call was St Brigid media, a non-profit company established here to help promote the station.

Speaking to the Limerick Chronicle Mr Murray said,

Anybody can revieve the 24hour broadcasts from the eurobird/Astra 2D or Hotbird satellites.You need a satellite dish of between 60cm and 85cm in size, a digital receiver and low noise blocker.It's a once off payout of about €300.

Or rather than paying that crazy sum , you can watch it for free on the web at the following link..EWTN Live

They describe themselves on their website

When Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) was launched on August 15,1981, many felt there would be little demand for a Catholic network. Now, in its 25th year, EWTN has become the largest religious media network in the world,transmitting programming 24 hours a day to more than 105 million homes in 110 countries and 16 territories on more than 3,400 cable systems, wireless cable,
Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS), low power TV and individual satellite
users

Mr Murray also announced that EWTN are seeking to increase its Irish programming content.Anyone in Limerick who wishes to receive EWTN are asked to phone St Brigid Media on 061 394400.

NewsWire commentary>>

While your on their website don't forget to pick up your very own mother angelica Mug ....

41-year-old man convicted of the statutory rape released

The High Court has ordered the immediate release of the man known as Mr A who was serving a three-year sentence for the unlawful carnal knowledge of a 12-year-old girl

Ms Justice Mary Laffoy said his detention had been rendered unlawful by last week's Supreme Court decision striking down the law on statutory rape.

New €1.5m Ambulance station for Limerick

Limerick is on course to receive a new €1.5m Ambulance station The Health Service Executive has confirmed.The executive announced that it wishes to build the new station on the land acrosss from the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Dooradoyle where the current station is.

The project is currently waiting approval from the corporate division of the HSE and is expected to get the go ahead. However the HSE has stated that if a more suitable location for the project other than Dooradoyle is an option then relocation would be considered.

Sixty people are currently employed at the Dooradoyle facility.

Body of man pulled from river Shannon

The body of a man in his 50's has been pulled from the shannon river in Limerick. He was found around 7:45am this morning by Limerick Marine Search and Rescue.

The man was not seen entering the water but Gardai believe he was not in the river for a long period of time and say they are following a definite line in inquiry in relation to his identity.

Gardai are appealing for anyone that may have seen anything to come forward.

'street ambassadors' to hit the Limerick streets

If your walking down Cruises Street in the coming days and come across a happy smiley person dressed in a munster like red attire, then you have just met one of the ten new 'street ambassadors' assigned to our city.

They are being introduced by the Mayor of Limerick, Diarmuid Scully.He says their role is to offer help with directions and provide information on key tourist attractions to tourists and some locals too.

The street ambassadors have been receiving basic training from the gardai, traffic wardens and Limerick Civic Trust. This will be a pilot project and if successful we will have to go back to the EU with an evaluation for next year," said the Diarmuid.

It will be interesting to see how this project will fair out.

Funeral held for Keith Ryan

The funeral has taken place of Keith Ryan.

Mr Ryan was beaten to death on Thursday night under the Shannon bridge in Limerick city.Gardai say he was involved in an "altercation". Speaking at the service Canon Michael Liston spoke of the shock felt by the local community.He said,

On hearing of the death of Keith , so many people have felt it is all so sad.They felt deeply for his father and his family and others who love him"

The victims brother also addressed the congregation.

You didn't fall alone, we will get back on our feet and stand tall with you.Take care keith and look down on us from time to time.You will never be forgotten.Bye for now.

Two men were charged in relation to his death.

Limerick Councils pull together to raise money for employee

Both Limerick City council and Limerick County Council have pulled together to raise money to send one of their employees to America for revolutionary surgery.

Kevin Mulcahy, an employee of Limerick County Council has cerebral palsy and is trying to gather enough money for the operation in Manhattan in New York.

Kevin spoke to the Irish examiner and said ,“I went over to New York and was evaluated by a surgeon, David Scher who specialises in cerebral palsy. He said he could help me walk as I would benefit from the removal of soft tissue, lengthening of hamstrings and hip flexor lengthening.”

The surgery to get Kevin walking would cost a substantial $60,000 with an extra 100,000 price tag on weeks of rehab.

Kevin told the Examiner,“The $60,000 has to be paid in advance and I cannot get private health insurance. I have contacted Mary Harney to see if the Health Service Executive or the Department of Health can assist me with the costs.”

Now The two limerick councils have announced a joint effort for kevin and will try to raise some of the money.Cllr Brigid Teefy, will launch Kevin’s fundraising website on June 8th.

The mayor Cllr Diarmuid Scully said,“We are all pulling together in the two councils for Kevin to raise the necessary money.”

Kevin has his own website located at www.helpmetowalk.com

Make a donation to Kevin here>> Make a Donation

Man who died in Co. Limerick accident named

The 24 year old man who died in a crash in County Limerick yesterday has been named as Finbar O' Keefe.

Mr O' Keefe was killed yesterday when the motorbike he was on collided with a car near Ballyneety around 10.45am.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.His body was removed to Limerick Mid-Western Regional Hospital where a post mortem is being carried out.

Roxboro Gardai are investigating the crash, which was the 6th fatal crash in Limerick this year.

PhotoCredit:LimerickLeader

Body of man found in Dublin

A man in his 40's has been found shot dead in coolock north Dublin.

It is believed the man's body was found at Edenmore Avenue at around 9.00am this morning. The man was found sitting in a car in a driveway of a house with a number of gunshot wounds.It was believed that he was returning to his house when he was shot.

The body remains at the scene pending the arrival of the State Pathologist and crime scene investigators from the Garda Technical Bureau

Gardai have launched a full murder investigation.
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Man dies after Ballyneety accident

A man in his twenties has died following a road traffic accident in Co. Limerick this morning.

The accident,reported this morning by The Newswire happened near Ballyneety.

It is understood that the man, on a bike was involved in a crash with a car around 10.45am.The car ended up on top of the man and his bike.

An ambulance was called but he was pronounced dead at the scene a short time after. Gardai will release the name of the man once all relations are informed.

Hit and run incident in Co. Limerick

Gardai in Abbeyfeale Co Limerick are investigating a hit and run incident which occurred in the early hours of this morning.

A 23 year old man was hit by a red car which then went in the direction of Athea.The incident happened around 4 am. The man was taken to Limerick Regional hospital where is injuries are not thought to be serious.

Abbeyfeale Gardai are appealing for people who have seen anything to contact them.

Car and bike collide in Ballyneety

A car and a Motorcycle have collided in Ballyneety , Co. Limerick. One person was reported to be injured.The car was said to have ended up on top of the bike. An ambulance was sent to the scene.

No further details were available.

Two charged in Ryan Murder

Two men arrested in connection with the murder of Keith Ryan on Thursday night have been charged.

At a special sitting of the District Court in Limerick city, the two men Thomas Ryan of Shanabooly Road, Ballynanty and Tony O'Brien of Baker Place were both charged with assaulting Keith Ryan causing him harm at Fernbank, O'Callaghan Strand in Limerick on Thursday.

They were given free legal aid and were remanded in custody until Wednesday.

Keith Ryan was beaten and left to die on Thursday night under the Shannon bridge in Limerick city.Wittnesses reported seeing two men flee the scene shortly after the attack took place.

A small crowd of onlookers gathered outside this mornings special court sitting and heckled the accused men as they were brought to and from the courthouse.

Below is the full text of the NON-FATAL OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON ACT, 1997 SECTION 3

Assault causing harm

(1) A person who assaults another causing him or her harm shall be guilty of an offence.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable

( a ) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or to both, or
( b ) on conviction on indictment to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both.

Munster Vs Cardiff Blues - photos

Limerick was still riding the wave of red today when a sold out Thomand park welcomed the Champions back to their home stadium for the last Munster match of the league.

Munster beat the Cardiff Blues by 35 to 8.

People queued all evening to get their photo taken with the European cup which was on display during the match.

Photos from the match today

A try for munster

Massive showing of support today

The queue to see the cup

Pitch invasion

Was he thrown off the bridge?

Jimmy Woulfe the Mid-West Correspondent for the Irish examiner is reporting that gardai are working on a theory that Keith Ryan may have been thrown from the shannon bridge down to the location where he was found dead.

One theory being followed by gardai is that Mr Ryan may have been thrown from the bridge onto the bank about 20 feet below after the attack.

There is a pedestrian stepway beside the bridge leading to the area where the body was found.

The victim was seen being attacked by at least one other person and this continued for about 100 yards along the footpath leading from Condell Road onto the bridge.

The investigation continues.Three men being held in in relation to the murder will have to be charged or released today.

Limerick Murder : Three arrested

THREE ARRESTED AS THE HUNT STARTS

Three men were detained tonight as Gardai search for a motive in the killing of Keith Ryan.The three men in their 20's were all arrested this evening in a rapidly moving murder investigation.

Keith Ryan was beaten and left to die on Thursday night under the Shannon bridge in Limerick city.Wittnesses reported seeing two men flee the scene shortly after the vicious attack took place.

It was thought Mr Ryan suffered major head ,back and facial injuries as a result of the attack.A preliminary post mortem was carried out at the scene by the state pathologist Mairie Cassidy.The body of the man was removed to the Limerick Regional Hospital this evening where a full autopsy will be carried out.

The Garda Technical Bureau spent most of the afternoon going over the scene which remains sealed off tonight.

The three men arrested this evening are being held at Mayorstone Garda station in the city and can be held without charge for up to 12 hours.

Limerick Body Find: Man named - Photos from the scene

MURDER INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED

Limerick Gardai have announced today that they are investigating reports that two men were seen running away from the spot where a local mans dead body was found.

The man whose body was found under the shannon bridge in the city has been named as Keith Ryan, aged 25 from the Farranshone area.

The latest images from the scene taken by NewsWire
All images are property of The NewsWire.

The scene is kept preserved

A Garda stands over the scene

Man found dead under Shannon bridge

A body of a man in his 20's has been found under the Shannon bridge in Limerick City.

The man was found by gardai around 11pm last night where he was described as having major head and facial injuries.An ambulance was called for the man but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The area has been preserved for examination by the Garda Technical Bureau and the State Pathologist.

Gardai say they are treating the death as 'suspicious'.

Limerick based Afghan hunger strikers appear in court

It has emerged today that some of the Afghan hunger strikers who staged the protest in St Patricks Cathedral last week have addresses in Limerick.

Thirty three protestors appeared before a session of Kilmainham District Court today charged under Section 3 of the False Entry and Occupation Act. A date for the next hearing has been set for August.

During the hearing today Judge Brigid Reilly granted 13 of the men permission to return to their addresses in Tralee, Limerick, Galway and Cork.

A small protest by supporters of the men was held outside the court during the hearing.

Deceased Limerick prisoner has latest charge dropped

A new charge against a prisoner who died while at Limerick prison has been struck off.

The charge against 20 year old Kenneth Kelly relating to the possession of cocaine, was dropped at a sitting of Limerick District court this week.His solicitor John Devane told the court that Mr Kelly died in "unfortunate circumstances"

Mr Kelly was found dead in his cell on May 7th .An ambulance crew tried to resuscitate him but he was pronounced dead just after 11am.An autopsy performed by the State Pathologist days later concluded that Mr Kelly died from an "unusual medical condition".

Most recently the mans family announced they wanted a full inquiry into his death and that their solicitor would be bringing a case against the Department of Justice on the matter.

Days before he died Mr Kelly made a claim to the Limerick Leader that prison officers were smuggling heroin, cocaine, and hash into the prison.

International Missing Children's Day

NEW APPEAL FROM LIMERICK GARDAI

Today is International Missing Children's Day and Gardai have made a fresh appeal for any information that might help establish the whereabouts of local Limerick teen Richard Kelly.

Fianna Fail's John McGuinness has put pressure on the Government today to re-establish the National missing persons helpline which has been defunct since 2003 because of a money shortage.

McGuinness said that"more effort was needed from the Irish authorities to tackle the situation".He said " funding for the missing person's helpline should be restored, while trained Gardai­ were also needed to oversee efforts to trace missing people."

The call comes as the search for the local Limerick teenager goes on.

Richard 'Happy' Kelly, who has a six-month-old son, has been missing since he left his Southill home in mid April this year. His birthday falls this Sunday and his family are adamant that birthday cards will still be bought for him.

The Limerick Blogger has a description of the young man.

Man released in Nunan murder probe

Gardai have this morning released a man they had arrested in connection with the murder of Limerick man David Nunan last year.The man was arrested on tuesday along with another man and a women but two were released yesterday.

Gardai say the man , in his 20's who was released today was detained on suspiction of withholding information relating to a crime.

Mr Nunan was shot dead in a laneway in Parteen village on the outskirts of the city on Friday, October 28.He had only been released from prison the previous Monday. Gardaí believed he was lured into a death trap by his killer.

The post mortem found he had been shot twice in the back. The bullets recovered from the scene indicated that a powerful semi automatic handgun was used.

Gardaí suspected he may have fallen foul of a drugs gang in the Southill area where the dead man lived.

Numerous people have been arrested and released since the murder.

A brothel operating from new Limerick flats?

According to a Limerick city councillor, a brothel is operating out of the new apartment blocks in the docklands.

Senator Pat Kennedy made this claim during a session of a city council meeting on the issue of the proposed redevelopment of the limerick docklands.He claims there is serious potential for anti-social behaviour in these new complexes because so many are springing up all over the place without management committees.

He goes on about the residents in the complex's,"There are people there from all over the world,some from Afghanistan.There are some very serious fanatical people there" , adding that there were up to a thousand apartments in this new development but only 20 people there were on the register of electors.

He claims that a female resident of the complex had two drunk men call to her door asking her if her flat was a brothel.

For more on this article , see tonights limerick leader.

NewsWire commentary >
Senator Pat Kennedy's remarks dosn't make him sound like a Xenophobe at all....hmm
Oh my god..people from Afghanistan of all places!!
give us a break.

Gardai know identity of hit and run suspect

Gardai have revealed that they now know the identity of the suspect involved in a Limerick Hit and Run incident on Satarday May 13th past , in which a 4 year old child was badly injured.

A garda spokesman told the Limerick independant that they expected to interview a man in relation to the incident and that a file on the matter was likely to be sent to the DPP soon.

The incident, which took place around 8.10pm that evening on the Quarry road, sparked off a major search in the Thomandgate area of the city with the garda helicopter being used to locate the suspect after he fled the scene.

The development is seen as a 'breakthrough'.

Huge fire at Istanbul airport

Turkish television showed huge plumes of black smoke rising above the airport that serves Turkey's largest city and firemen battling the fire.

Fire engines and ambulances rushed to the scene of the fire where huge plumes of black smoke billowed up from the airport which serves Turkey's largest city. Planes normally used for water bombing forest fires swooped down to douse the flames.
Private NTV television said some cargo workers may have been trapped inside the two-story cargo building, which is used to store international cargo arriving in Istanbul.

The building was located close to a hangar housing military aircraft.

An obscure Kurdish militant group has claimed responsibility for the fire.

Man still held in connection with Limerick murder

A man is still being held in connection with the murder of David Nunan today.Yesterday gardai arrested 3 people, a women and two men, under Section 30 of the offences against the state act. However this morning a man and a women were released without charge.

Twenty five year-old David Nunan from the O`Malley Park area of Southill in Limerick was found shot dead in a laneway in Parteen, County Clare on October 28.

He can be held for a maximum of 72 hours.

3 Arrested in connection with David Nunan Murder

Gardaí investigating the murder of David Nunan in October 2005 have arrested a women and two men today.

14 year old shot 'several times'

A 14 year old has been injured in a shooting incident in Cork city today

RTE News says although the boy sustained a number of pellet wounds to his back and side, he was not seriously injured.

The teenager was with two others standing outside a house at the top of Farran Street, when a gunman pulled up in a car at the entrance to the street and fired one blast from a shotgun.

Witnesses say the gunman took off in a black Mondeo Cork registered car, which has since been found abandoned on the outskirts of the city at Watergrasshill.

Investigating gardaí at Mayfield confirmed that there has been a number of incidents on the street in recent weeks but were satisfied that there was no intent to kill, but just to scare the teenagers.

A Red FM reporter spoke to The NewsWire and he says there are even unconfirmed reports the incident may be linked to feuding in Limerick.

Women crushed between two cars in city car park

An elderly women has been transported to Limerick Regional Hospital today after she was involved in an accident in a Limerick City center car-park.

It's thought the women in her seventies became trapped between two cars in the facility.

Her injuries are thought to be serious.

Another Munster Victory Parade?

Well the first one was so good that they want another.

Limerick Councillor Kieran O`Hanlon has called for another Munster victory parade to take place.He claims there are "Thousands and tens of thousands of fans" who are still travelling home from cardiff and they did not have a chance to get to the parade which happened the day after the win.

Above:Munster lift the cup

PhotoCredit:The Limerick Blogger

"Unfortunately we were still travelling, and I`m talking about thousands of people Sunday and Monday, back to Limerick. And we would like to share in the celebrations with the team to see that cup coming through the city.", O ' Hanlon says.

Over 40,000 turned out on Sunday , im sure they won't mind doing it again!

Limerick 'stab city' Video emerges

The following is a link to a video that was passed on to me.It took me a while to decide wether it would go on the blog.But after diliberations i decided to go ahead.

It looks like a video made by a group of ejit skateboard people in limerick. The video was also passed on to the Limerick Blogger to see what they made of it.

Where else could this kind of tripe surface...only Bebo.

This is their view of Limerick..charming
http://www.bebo.com/FlashBox.jsp?FlashBoxId=716369235


comments welcome

A good political 'smack on the head'

Interesting Video

Czech Health Minister David Rath has been in a punch-up with his right-wing rival, Miroslav Macek, during a meeting of disgruntled dentists in Prague..Just listen to the slap in the head at the start
Ouch!

link is now dead
(Windows Media Player required)
CNN Broadband

Comments welcome

Minister congratulates Brian Kennedy on Eurovision "Win"...

In a Press Release Clearly not supposed to be published but for some unknown reason was, Minister John O’Donoghue congratulates Brian Kennedy on his Eurovision Win.

Talk about Wishfull Thinking..

The Full Statement

John O’Donoghue, T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism congratulated Brian Kennedy on his success in the Eurovision Song Contest with his own composition “Every Song Is A Cry For Love”. Minister O’Donoghue said: “I wish to extend my congratulations to Brian on his marvelous win for Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest in Athens tonight. He gave a wonderful performance and in the process extended Ireland’s record number of Eurovision wins to eight. Everyone should be very proud of this excellent achievement.

ENDS

It has been promptly removed from their website.

Ireland actually came 10th in the Final

And it emerged tonight that Ireland only scraped through the semi final coming 9th where only the top 10 went on to the final.

Gardai thank Limerick Public after low crime weekend

Gardaí in Limerick say there was less public order offences in Limerick this weekend than normal, despite huge celebrations of Munster`s win in the Heineken cup final. Gardai from all stations in the city were on duty for the event.

They are thanking the public for their cooperation over the two days.

Above: The Scene on O Connell Street After The Event on Satarday
Photo:The NewsWire

Meanwhile, Limerick City Co-ordinator Andrew Mawhinney says that the big screen event on O`Connell Street was a golden opportunity for Limerick that was fully grasped...

Despite rain, 40,000 turn out for Munster victory parade

There is a great article in the irish times today on the Munster Victory by Barry Roche in Limerick

Right:
Jerry Flannerys pub in Limerick after the match.
Photo taken by newswire

The article in full

After some extraordinary odysseys Munster fans proved beyond doubt yesterday that they could never be called sunshine supporters when an estimated 40,000 braved heavy rain to welcome the European Cup champions back to Limerick, writes Barry Roche in Limerick.


The warm sunshine which had bathed O'Connell Street on Saturday when 15,000 fans watched the match on a big screen was replaced by sheeting rain but it did little to deter the enthusiasm of the red-coated, red-capped, flag-waving fans.

Thin Lizzy's The Boys are Back in Town helped get them in a party mood as they waited for the team to arrive at the podium at the top of O'Connell Street following a civic reception at City Hall and a tour of Thomondgate on an open top bus.

The voice of Limerick rugby, commentator Len Dineen, lamented the downpour but captured the mood."Pity about the weather but we don't care - we have the cup."
"Stringer, Stringer, Stringer," chanted the crowd as the team took to the podium and before too long the diminutive hero of Cardiff had been nudged to the front where, with a broad smile, he hoisted the cup over his head.

Dineen tried to get the scrumhalf to discuss his superb try but he got as little change out of him as Biarritz. "My own was only a small part - it was a long trip and we finally reached our destination - this was for the Munster fans," said Stringer modestly.

Coach Declan Kidney was equally modest, confining himself to saying that the team had often been called "bridesmaids". It certainly felt like a honeymoon today, he said.
Fellow Corkman Ronan O'Gara paid tribute the great camaraderie of the team and the boost they got from seeing the O'Connell Street crowd flash up on screen during the game.

Paul O'Connell received perhaps the biggest cheer of the afternoon but the lock was keen to emphasise that it was an all-Munster effort: "we're a six-county team," he said.
When it was the turn of captain Anthony "Axel" Foley to talk, his mobile phone rang twice in quick succession. He had the crowd laughing when he quipped: "It must be Eddie O'Sullivan."
He too was keen to thank the fans. "I don't think we can overstate the support we get from our fans - you can't buy support like that and here today it's been great to bring back some silverware for the people of Munster.

People keep mentioning the holy grail and the end of the journey and all that - it's an insult to this side and their ambition to say we can only win one. We have to look forward, we have to have more days like these - these are brilliant."

The Saddam Trial continues

You would hardly know i these days but the trial of the former dictator Saddam Hussein is still going on in Iraq.In todays developments Iraqi guards at the trial manhandled a Lebanese lawyer from the court as witnesses prepared to give testimony.

Reuters reports that Defense lawyer Bushra Khalil threw her robe as she was bundled from the chamber by guards after complaining about being thrown out of a previous session.

A week ago, all eight defendants were charged with crimes against humanity over the killings and detentions, deportations and tortures to which 399 people from Dujail were subjected in reprisal for the attempt on Saddam's life.

Saddam refused to plead and like the others a not guilty plea was entered for him

Montenegro divorces Serbia

Serbia-Montenegro is no more.Montenegro voted today to end it's union with its neighbor according to the latest poll results conducted by watchdog group CEMI.

The two former Yugoslav republics located on the west-central Balkan Peninsula had been a union since 1992 after the breakup of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.The vote was won by just point four of a percent.

"I'm sure that tonight a democratic Montenegro will be celebrated," said Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, whose Democratic Party of Socialists had pushed for Montenegro's full independence.

It was thought that somewhere in the region of 410,000 people voted in the referendum which was divided mostly along ethnic lines, with Montenegrins and ethnic minorities voting for independence, while Serbs voted to retain the state union.Opponents insist however, it is too small and weak to be viable on its own.

55%was required for the question to pass.55.4% was the result.

The Victory Parade

Part two of the weekend festivities gets under way today when the victorious munster team will parade through Limerick City.

The parade will begin at 4PM from the City Hall where it will make its way towards King Johns Castle.Then over Thomand bridge to The Treaty Stone where the raising of the cup will take place.

Then the parade will make it's way back down Clancys strand and in to the city via Sarsfield Bridge.From here the parade will head to the Glenthworth st area where some sort of ceremony will take place.
It all begins at 4pm.

The scene on O Connell Street yesterday during the last minutes of the match.
PhotoCredit:The NewsWire

Munster on their way home

The European champions Munster have arrived home tonight.Their plane landed in Shannon airport at 00:20am.

Reports say up to 800 people had gathered at the airport to meet the team.

Afghan hunger strike over

Gardai have removed the Afghan hunger strikers from St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, according to RTE.

All 38 people were removed.They left in the presence of the Gardai who had entered the cathedral in mass .Reports say they did not resist arrest.

The Gardai launched their operation after 9.30pm and took over an hour to complete.

This picture says it all.The sea of red on O Connell Street Today.As far as the eye could see.

Photo Credit:: The Newswire

Munster Win! - The President leads tributes

The President has led the tributes to Munster's Heineken Cup victory.

Speaking from the United States, Mary McAleese described it as an outstanding performance that the team and fans can be proud of.

Sports Minister John O'Donoghue called it a magnificent achievement.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said they were brilliant

Munster Win! - Latest Pictures

Photo Credit :: The NewsWire

O Connell Street - Limerick

Munster Win! - Latest Pictures

PHOTO CREDIT:: THE NEWSWIRE

O Connel Street Limerick

Munster Win!

O Connell street Limerick
PHOTO CREDIT: The NewsWire

The Big Day

Well it's that day that everyone has been talking about for god knows how long now.Munster take on Biarritz in the Heineken Cup final at 3pm. For full coverage of the match head over to The Limerick Blogger where point by point updates will be available during the match.

Big fire at the top of southill - photo

A photo was sent to The Newswire showing billowing smoke coming from the top of southill in Limerick tonight.Three houses were on fire at the back of southhill.4 units of Limerick City fire brigade attended the scene.


Cheers to whoever you are that sent it

Afghan hunger strikers "will kill themselves"

The standoff at the cathedral has escalated tonight with reports saying that 50 gardai have surrounded the church just before 8pm.

The Church of Ireland has asked the asylum seekers to leave the premises, however there are no signs that they intend to call off their six-day protest. RTE is reporting that the Church of Ireland has confirmed that it is pursuing legal options to bring the afghan church stand-off to a conclusion.

At least 15 gardai are still involved in a stand-off with the hunger strikers inside St. Patrick's Cathedral.This morning the HSE obtained a court order making all of the seven minorswards of court and it these individuals the garda operation is centring on.

They are holding fast their positions in the Cathedral, however the spokesperson for the Church, Janet Maxwell says they want the men to leave.Spokesperson for Residents Against Racism, Rosanna Flynn spent a number of hours with the Hunger Strikers this afternoon, she says many of them are ready to die


Sky news is showing a photo of 4 men in the afghan cathedral standoff with ropes around their necks.

Within the last few minutes justice Minister Michael McDowell has given his backing to the way the gardai are handling the situation at the cathedral

follow the story>>

Sky News Coverage , A Dublin Blog's Coverage

Limerick Man found guilty of murder

Joe Greaney has been jailed for life after he was convicted of murdering his neighbour in County Kerry last year

Greaney, a native of Limerick who had worked as a chef in Killarney, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty of manslaughter of Fergal Landy at Cahernane Meadows, Killarney.

It took the jury of 7 men and 5 women over nine hours of deliberating before they came to there verdict.Mr Justice Paul Carney imposed the mandatory life sentence on Joe Greaney.

Munster..Munster..Munster

The big day is almost upon us.The talk will soon end and all that will be left to do is to get the job done on the pitch.Munster take on Biarritz in the Heineken Cup final. For full coverage of the match tomorrow head over to The Limerick Blogger where point by point updates will be available during the match.


And if your in Limerick city tomorrow why not head to O Connell Street and join the thousands expected to turn out and watch the match on the giant screen.

Either way you watch it , listen to it or read it , enjoy it.

Come on Munster!

Ireland qualify for the eurovision

Ireland's Brian Kennedy has qualified for the eurovision final on satarday after a nail biting semi-final in Athens.




The eurovision website describes the irish song

Then there’s a change of mood as we switch to an acoustic guitar and emerald green lighting – it can only be Ireland. This performance isn’t about dancing or fancy costumes; it’s about Brian Kennedy’s extraordinary voice. Warm yet piercing, it silences the crowd until the song builds to its climax at which point the crowd goes crazy

The final takes place this satarday night in Athens.