Body of missing Limerick woman found

The body of a woman found in the Shannon River at Clarina has been identified as missing 29-year-old Limerick woman Theresa Warren.

The Caherconlish native has been missing now since December 8th.

A local farmer discovered the body on his land Monday.Garda sources say foul play is not suspected in the death saying it was a "tragic accident”.

200 jobs may go in Limerick

Software Company Thompson Scientific has announced today that it is considering closing its Limerick plant which would mean 200 jobs being lost.

The proposal would see a transfer of work from its facilities in Limerick, Glasgow, Manchester, London to facilities in India.

In a statement today, Thompson Scientific said it had entered into a 30-day
period of consultation with affected employees but it said that if the proposal
goes ahead it could result in approximately 200 positions being declared
redundant.

The Connecticut-based company - which develops software for the science and healthcare sectors - said the proposal would not impact other Thomson Scientific operations in Ireland.

It said: "If the proposal goes ahead it will be implemented in stages and is expected to take around 18 months to complete".

"We will make every effort to ensure that affected employees are kept informed of progress during consultation and will make sure that we have appropriate staff available to answer employee questions and outline options as they emerge," it added.

Via Irish Times

€2.9m settlement at High Court

A man who received a severe brain injury during his birth at a Limerick hospital has received €2.9m at the High Court today.

Jordan Byrne had sued the Maternity Hospital after his mother claimed staff at the the hospital failed to properly monitor her blood pressure during the pregnancy and causing her to suffer eclamptic fits back in 1984.

Mr. Byrne was born by Caesarean section seven weeks premature on that day. The Byrne family also claims that he was over ventilated at birth and these incidents caused him a severe brain injury.

The court was told he is a bright, alert young man but that the injury had left him permanently mentally and physically handicapped and he will remain dependant and in need of constant care and medical attention.
Via RTE

He was awarded 2.9m by Mr. Justice John Quirke. The hospital still denies any negligence.

Shots fired in Cliona Park

Mayorstone Gardai are investigating a shooting incident which happened in Moyross Sunday evening.

Gardai were called to the northside housing estate after shots were reportedly fired at a group of people standing outside a house around 5pm.

Nobody was injured in the incident. Gardai say it is linked with an on-going fued in the area.

No arrests have been made so far.

Review to be carried out at Regional Hospital

A review is to be carried out into why 36 people were left waiting on Accident and Emergency trolleys at the regional Hospital recently.

The Health Service Executive has announced the members of the group established to investigate the situation at the hospital.

The review team comprises Dr Sheila Ryan, former chief executive officer, Western Health Board, (chairperson), Dr Garry Courtney, consultant physician, St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, Mary Boyd, director of nursing, Cork University Hospital and Catherine Clarke, bed manager, Mater Hospital, Dublin.

A HSE spokesperson said that the group will commence work immediately and is expected to deliver its report within a matter of weeks.
Via Post

The situation arose on Tuesday January 16th prompting the nurses organization to claim that that the situation is unprecedented and nurses are angry that the HSE has failed to put in place appropriate initiatives in the last two years to help deal with this issue.

Man remanded on sex charge

A Clare man has been remanded for sentencing after a serious sexual assault on a Limerick woman in 2004.

29 year old Killkee man Brian Mulvihill pleaded guilty to the charge of aggravated sexual assault on the 20 year old Limerick student in Clare on August 6^th, 2004.

Breakingnews.ie reports “Mr. Justice Paul Carney directed that Mulvihill be registered as a sex offender and that a victim impact statement should be prepared for the sentence hearing when evidence of the crime will be given.”

Knockalisheen flats being demolished

The disused Knockalisheen flats , which were in the news recently due to the anti social and illegal activities going on there, are finally being demolished.

A huge fire ripped through the flats mid January gutting a section of the premises and prompting residents and councilors to call for their complete demolition.

Speaking at the demolition site, one of those who called for the action, Sinn Fein’s Maurice Quinlivan said,

“Today’s demolition of the flats on Knockalisheen Avenue is very welcome. Local people have spoken to me of their sense “of relief” that the flats have finally been removed. The vacant flats were being used for Anti-Social behaviour and drug misuse. Whilst the City council have belatedly lived up to their responsibility in having these flats removed it is a pity that there weren’t removed before the fires of the last few weeks.”

He also called on the Council to consult with the local community on what plans are envisaged for the vacant site,

“It is essential that any plans developed for the site has local support. It is however very worrying that 3 years after the City council first approached local residents with news that the flats would need to be vacated and demolished there are no plans in the public domain for what would go in their place.”

Eddie Halvey sent for trial in Nenagh

The case against former Munster Rugby player Eddie Halvey has sent forward for trial in the Circuit Criminal Court in Nenagh.

The 30 year old was charged with drink driving after he was arrested at the scene of an accident where a 16 year old Limerick boy, Kevin Walsh lost his life. He is also charged with dangerous driving causing the death.

During the brief hearing, Detective Inspector Bob Noonan said there was no objection to the accused being remanded on continuing bail.

Judge Reilly also told Halvey that if he wished to enter an alibi in the case or call on any witnesses, he would have to notify prosecution and also produce witness names
and addresses 14 days in advance of any trial. Halvey was also ordered to reappear before the same court again on March 23 in connection with the Section 49 drink-driving charge.

via Irish Independent

The accident happened on the N7 in Toomevara, Nenagh shortly after 5am on April 1st of this year. The teenager was a rear seat passenger in a car, which collided with a jeep.

The case starts on February 13th.

Courthouse could be on the move

Reports in The Limerick Post Newspaper this week claim that a city official has written to the chief executive officer of the Court Services requesting that the city’s courthouse be moved to a different part of the city.

It comes after local councilors raised concerns that it is too close to City Hall and often visitors to the city's "leading municipal building" are faced with high levels of Gardai, TV cameras and undesirables hanging around when a trial is going on next door.

John Gilligan told the paper,

"There are all sorts of VIPs and other people on official high profile visits to the mayor and city manager going in to City Hall on a daily basis, as well as tourists heading for King John's Castle, and the everyday good citizens of this city going in to tax their cars, all of whom have frequently to run the gauntlet of some very undesirable, loud and abusive people who are hanging about on the steps outside the Courthouse and City Hall - not the most attractive impression of our city, not to mention the sense of intimidation these kind of people generate"

Court Services have responded to the report and have stated that they are currently examining the situation down at Merchants Quay and are, in the long term, looking at a site near Limerick Prison on Mulgrave Street as a possible new home for the court house.

A lot more on this over at LimerickPost.ie

Extra Garda for quiet suburban area

The Raheen and Dooradoyle area of Limerick is to get a second community Garda ,The Post reports.

Local Labour councillor Deirdre Ni Chinneide told the paper that the extra Garda “was badly needed”.

“Our existing community Garda has been doing a great job. But it was clear that one community Garda for this huge area was just not enough. I am delighted for the people of Raheen/Dooradoyle because it is something that they have been campaigning for since I got elected.”

Badly needed?.. Oh yes it must have been over all the burnt out cars, petrol bomb attacks on kids and shootings going on out there every night…please!

Murder appeal pushed back to February

The appeal by the five men convicted of the murder of crime boss Kieran Keane and attempted murder of Owen Tracey, have all had their case adjourned until February 9th.

Mr. Justice Nicholas Kearns made the decision due to a number of related documents such as media reports on the original trial were not present in the three-judge court.

34 year old David Stanners, 23 year old Desmond Dundon, 23 year old Christopher Costelloe, 27 year old James McCarthy and 24 year old Anthony McCarthy were all convicted in 2003.

The trial took place on the grounds of Clover Hill Prison in Dublin and lasted 29 days. The jury spent over 15 hours deliberating the verdicts.

(Photo: RTENews)

Film about paedophile Limerick priest nominated for an Oscar

A documentary style film about a paedophile priest form Limerick has been nominated for an Oscar.

'Deliver Us From Evil’, directed by Amy Berg shows footage of 60 year old Father Oliver O'Grady ogling young children in Merrion Square and at a Dublin school.

O'Grady originally from Limerick, admits in the film he still gets aroused at the sight of children and showed no remorse for abusing 25 children when he was a parish priest in California.

The film has been nominated in the Best Documentary Feature category along with four others and the winner will be announced Sunday February 25th at the Oscars ceremony.

Man on trial in Limerick following horrific attack

(Corrected)
A man charged with the rape and robbery of a 75 year old woman has gone on trial today.

The 20-year-old is charged with two counts of rape, threatening to kill and robbing the OAP on May 22nd 2005 at her house in Tipperary.

Outlining the facts of the case to the jury of nine men and three women this morning, senior counsel Brendan Grehan said the woman was woken at around 3.40am that morning by an intruder who confronted her in her living room.

He went to walk out the back door and she attempted to lock it, the court was told. He then forced his way back into the house, pushed her into the living room onto an armchair and raped her twice, the jury heard.
Via RTE News

The coward then proceeded to take a measly €100 from the woman’s purse and threatened the woman’s life if she called Gardai when he left.

DNA Evidence will be presented in the coming days in which a sample taken from the accused’s boxer shorts matches that found on the victim.

The trial continues this week.

Correction
I mistakenly identified the man as being from Limerick when in actual fact he’s from Tipperary. However he’s still a lowlife scumbag and a coward for attacking a 75 year old woman.

TK Maxx customers may be affected by Hacker Attack

If you shop or recently shoped at a TK Maxx in Limerick then you may want to read the following article from siliconrepublic.com who are claiming that Irish customers of the chain may have had their credit card details compromised.

The scare comes after a Hacker managed to successfully attack one of the companies’ databases in the U.S.

As yet, the company said it doesn’t know the full extent of the theft and which customers have been affected. It confirmed that it has identified some customer information that was stolen from its systems and this “may involve customers of its TK Maxx stores in the UK and Ireland”.

TJX said that investigations so far have revealed that an unauthorised intruder accessed the computer systems that process and store information related to customer transactions during 2003 and from mid-May to December last year for stores in the US, Puerto Rico and Canada. In a statement, the company said it was “concerned that the intrusion may extend to the computer systems that process and store information related to customer transactions for TK Maxx in the UK and Ireland”.

So far, the investigation has not been able to confirm whether this further intrusion actually took place.

The company implores anyone who thinks they might have been affected by the hack to call 0800 77 90 15 for more details.

Or email TJX Customer Service at: customerservice AT tjx.com

Cheers to Donal for the tip.

Live95FM retain Limerick broadcasting licence

"Live 95FM will continue to be the market leader in Limerick"

The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland announced today that Limerick Radio station Live95FM have successfully retained their licence to broadcast in Limerick.

The UTV owned station had come up against fierce competition from a rival consortium Heart FM and both went head to head at oral hearings last November.

Heart FM was backed by comedian Pat Shortt, musicians Noel and Mike Hogan and businessman Tony Brazil.

Radiowaves.fm reports that the award is “subject to the successful outcome of contract negotiations and further details will be announced in the coming months.”

Live95’s Chief Executive David Tighe said today,

“I am delighted that we’ve been successful in retaining the licence to broadcast in Limerick city and county for the next decade. It was a long and complex process but we were confident that our track record - exemplified in numerous ways in our submission to the BCI - highlighted the good work we do, in the many walks of Limerick life.

We would also like to thank our listeners and advertisers, who have inundated the radio station with good wishes throughout the process - and with messages of congratulations since the result became known. Our plan is to stay in tune with our listeners as we move forward with exciting plans to make Limerick’s Live 95FM even bigger and better!”

Its thought contract could net Live95, who have held the license in Limerick since 1997 ,up to €20m over the 10 years the license runs for.

Limerick You’re A Star hopefuls 'in it to win it'

Two Limerick hopefuls taking part in RTE’s You’re A Star apparently stand a good chance of winning the entire show.

16-year-old Maeve O'Donovan from Clare but a student at a Limerick school and 27-year-old Account Manager Richie McCoy from Shelbourne Road are in the running according to Paddy Power Bookmaker Sharon McHugh,

They are doing very well, Richie McCoy in particular, he performed brilliantly last week and he’s right up there. He’s 3rd favorite at the moment just behind Andrew Grafton and 21 demands at 5 to 1.

The two hopefuls made it through last weeks round of the reality TV music contest last week and will vie again tonight for a place in next weeks show.

The show broadcasts tonight at 6.30pm on RTE One.

NEW DETAILS
Both have qualified for the next round

Historic day at Thomand Park

The last major match to be played at Limericks famous Thomand Park before its redevelopment will get under way this evening when Munster go head to head with the Leicester Tigers.

A Parade is scheduled to leave Bedford Row at 3:30 heading to Ennis Rd onto Thomond Park ahead of the game at 5.35pm

The €40m facelift will bring the capacity of the ground to 26,000.The new look Thomond Park will have two new stands in addition to new changing rooms, medical suite, executive boxes, banqueting facilities and supporters bars.

Hugh Murray of Murray O'Laoire Architects, Limerick, said,
"The new Thomond Park stands will enhance the legendary intensity of the 'Munster experience' by housing 15,000 fans as close to the pitch as possible and with great views of the action. They will be a powerful icon of the home of Munster Rugby for future generations and their distinctive curved forms will stand out as a proud new city landmark."

At the unveiling of the redevelopment plans last year, president of the Munster branch of the IRFU Ken Lyons said that,
"There are few rugby followers in the world who are not aware of the history and great traditions associated with rugby at Thomond Park. This wonderful redevelopment project is entirely fitting.Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will be in attendance at the event which will be no doubt an emotional farewell to one era and the welcoming of another.

The new stadium will be ready to use in 2008.

(The photo above was sent to us from inside Thomand Park , taken around 15 minutes prior to kick-off.)

NEW DETAILS
Final Score:
Munster 6 - 13 Leicester.

Man gets three years for transporting weapon

An Egyptian man who had pleaded guilty to possessing a semi-automatic pistol with intent to endanger life and transferring it for a Limerick crime gang has been jailed today.

36 year old Ibrihme Hassan with an address in Co. Kildare was handed a 3 year jail term for transporting the powerful Sphinx handgun from Dublin to Limerick last year.

At the sentencing hearing today, the court was told how Mr. Hassan was “low down the criminal hierarchy" and that the accused was only being used by a Limerick gang to transport the gun along with ammunition. The gun was loaded and had a silencer attached when Gardai seized it on Prospect Hill on June 14th.

Judge Carroll Moran described the transporting of weapons even more serious than the transporting of drugs and sentenced the man to three years in jail, backdated to June of last year when he was taken in custody.

Story Background
Man appears in court after Gangland hit foiled(Jan 11, 07)
International gang has allligned itself with Limerick faction : Gardai (June 16, 06)
Three arrested were ‘suspected assassins’ (June 15, 06)
Three arrested after Garda raid (June 14th, 06)

Three released in murder probe

Three of the four people arrested in connection with the murder of Noel Crawford have been released without charge from Garda custody today.

Two men, a woman and a teenage boy had been arrested this week in connection with the 40-year-olds death.

One man still remains in custody.

Fat Frankie murder suspect has charge dropped

PRIME SUSPECT ‘GETS AWAY WITH MURDER’

A man accused of the murder of another man in Moyross last September has had the charge of murder against him dropped.

Gary Campion was charged with killing 'Fat' Frankie Ryan on September 17 of last year ,however in court Wednesday judge Tom O’Donnell made the decision of striking out the murder charge against the accused as the book of evidence was still not presented to the defendant.

The court was told that the delay in presenting the book of evidence was because of the current heavy workload at the local State solicitor's office.

Mr. Campion (above) ,who was the Prime suspect, was arrested in the week after the murder in North Cork.

More form the Independent

Four arrested over Southill murder

Four people have been arrested in relation to the murder of a man in Southill in December.

The arrested; two men, a woman and a teenage boy are all being detained at separate Garda stations around the city.

David Hurley of the Limerick Leader reports tonight that the four are being detained on suspicion of withholding information relating to the murder of Noel Crawford last December.

It’s being reported that some of the people held were arrested earlier this week but Gardai did not release the information to the media for operational reasons.

40-year-old Noel Crawford was shot outside his house in Southill on Monday December 18th. He was approached by a lone gunman and shot at close range.

All four are being held under Section 30 of the Offences against the state act.

Shooting in Moyross leaves one injured

A man is recovering in Limerick Regional Hospital today after he was injured in a shooting incident last night.

The victim who is in his twenties sustained wounds to his arm and hand after shots were fired through a rear window of the house he was occupying in Pineview Gardens around midnight.

The scene has been preserved for a technical examination.

Horses killed in road accidents

Two horses were knocked down and killed in separate traffic accidents in Limerick yesterday.

The Limerick Leader reports that both events happened around 7.45pm last night on the southern ring road. Both drivers received minor injuries in the accidents which unfortunately took the lives of the two horses.

Gardai are now trying to establish the owners of animals and also figure out how they made their way onto the road.

Man sentenced for prison officer assault

A Ballynanty man who is currently serving a jail sentence for armed robbery has been handed down another nine month concurrent sentence after he assaulted two prison officers in Limerick prison last July.

29-year-old Zachery Coughlan was jailed for 15 years in 2000 by a court in England but was repatriated to Ireland last year where he was serving out his term.

On July 13th prison officers tried to confiscate contraband from a prisoner when they claimed Mr. Coughlan struck them with a scrub brush and began kicking and punching. Both officers required medial treatment after the attack. He was transferred to Wheatfield prison following the incident.

Speaking for his client today, Solicitor John Devane asked the court to consider transferring Mr. Coughlan back to Limerick prison claiming the accused was being victimized by Limerick gang members while at Wheatfield.

Judge Tom O’Donnell imposed a nine month jail sentence to run concurrently with the 15 years already being served.

The man's mother spoke out after the attack saying, “He was thrilled to be near home so why would he do this. He has worked so hard to get back here from England”

Nurses warn of overcrowding at Regional Hospital

Nurses in Limerick Regional Hospital have apparently raised concerns about the level of overcrowding in the hospital.

IrishHelath.com reports that today around 2pm there was 'in excess of 36 patients' who were forced to lie on trolleys in the accident and Emergency Department of the Hospital.

The organization said that that this situation is unprecedented and nurses are angry that the HSE has failed to put in place appropriate initiatives in the last two years to help deal with this issue. They pointed out, for example, that no progress has been made on the establishment of a minor injuries clinic in the A&E unit.

The INO is calling on the A&E Taskforce to immediately address the deteriorating situation at the hospital through a joint union/management forum", said INO industrial relations officer, Mary Fogarty.

Via IrishHelath.com

Fire service tackle major Ballynanty fire

A huge fire ripped through the old Knockalisheen Avenue flats last night, gutting three of the abandoned houses.

Limerick fire service was called to the scene around 8.00pm where they were confronted with a quickly spreading fire and a large crowd of on looking locals.

Six units of the fire service battled the blaze for nearly 2 hours before declaring it controlled.

Local councilor Maurice Quinlivan, whose family lived there for more than 50 years and was amongst the families who moved out, says nowadays the flats are a “haven for criminality”,

"It was ironic that just today as a local resident voiced her concerns to me that the flats be removed before they are subject to the regular fires that have plagued the vacant flats on Knockalisheen Road we had tonight’s fire.

These vacant flats have now become a haven for drug taking and vandalism and need to be removed and the vacant area secured immediately.As there are no firm plans in the public domain to re develop the area at present it is essential that if redevelopment is not immediately planned that at the very least the flats be demolished, the rubble removed and the area properly secured.

The vacant flats are being used for Anti-Social behavior and causing serious aggravation to the tenants in the Ballynanty Road area."

Nobody was injured.

Mother and daughter injured in smash

Two people are recovering in Limerick regional Hospital tonight after a three vehicle collision Monday.

The injured, a woman and her daughter were traveling in a car on the Dublin Road when they were in collision with two articulated trucks around midday on the Limerick side of Birdhill.

Major tailbacks were reported as a crane was located to move one of the trucks following the accident.

Both are said to be stable in hospital tonight.

Man injured after Northside shooting incident

Gardai in Limerick are investigating a shooting incident on the northside of the city.

Reports say a 19-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to one of his legs in the attack which happened in the Ballynanty area of the city around 9.20pm.

He was rushed to hospital after the incident however his injuries are not said to be life threatening.

Gardai at Mayorstone are investigating.

Munster flags return to the streets

Christmas celebrations have officially ended in Limerick City with the taking down of the festive lights around the city centre, however new celebrations are just getting started.

190 or so Munster flags have been erected on the streets in preparation for the upcoming Munster vs Leicester Tigers at Thomond Park next Saturday.

Michael Gleeson from the Limerick City Business Association has more,

“Wherever there were lights, there will be flags. IT will be a sea of red hopefully for Leicester fans coming to Limerick”

Man released after motorway shooting

The 19 year old man who was arrested after yesterday’s "high speed assassination attempt" on the Ennis Dual Carriageway has been released from Garda custody today without charge.

A file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Feud related shooting incident

Gardai have arrested an 19 year old man after a shooting incident outside the city today.

Shots were discharged from one car at another car as they were inbound on the dual carriageway near the Radisson Hotel at lunchtime today. The driver of the car who was on his own was uninjured in the attack.

The shooting stopped after one of the cars crashed through a fence near the hotel and the occupants fled the scene.

Gardai say the incident is related to a feud on the city. Both cars are being forensically examined.

NEW DETAILS
"high-speed assassination attempt"
Jimmy Woulfe of The Examiner has more,

The intended victim, a known criminal associated with the McCarthy-Dundon gang, was returning to Limerick after appearing at Ennis District Court.

Garda Superintendent Gerry Mahon, Henry St, said the Passat crashed near the entrance to the Radisson Hotel and the occupants fled from the scene.

Supt Mahon said: “The other car was located in the northside of the city a short time later and was taken to Mayorstone garda station for forensic examination.

This is a very, very serious incident and we would ask anybody travelling between Setrights Cross and the Radisson Hotel between 1pm and 1.35pm yesterday to contact gardaí.”

RTE News Report(Realplayer)

Inmate serving 11 months gets another 5 months concurrently

A Limerick man who is currently serving an 11 month sentence has been given another 5 months in jail for a separate offence.

46 year old Gordan Ryan from Clarina Avenue was out on appeal for one offence when he broke into Barrington’s hospital in September last year and stole a computer monitor.

He was positively identified from CCTV and was convicted yesterday and sentenced to 5 months in jail; however it will run concurrent to the 11 month sentence he is already serving.

Hannon appears briefly on You Tube

"ME TRYING TO FIGURE THIS OUT"
Local Limerick broadcaster, businessman, author and General Election candidate Gerry Hannon has appeared on You Tube.

This riveting bit of footage is four days old but I only saw it now.


With a username of Serenity FM it looks like he could be using the platform to push the campaign for a radio licence.

Two arrested after daylight shooting

Two people have been arrested after a shooting incident in Moyross earlier today.

Nobody was injured in the incident which happened in Cliona Park around 2pm this afternoon.

Two youths aged 19 and 22 were arrested a short time after and are being held at Mayorstone Garda station.

No weapon has been found.

Man appears in court after Gangland hit foiled

An Egyptian man has gone on trial today in Limerick charged with the possession of a powerful Sphinx semi-automatic pistol on June 14th of last year.

36 year old Ibrihme Hassan(right), who Gardai now believe is part of an international gang which had aligned itself to one of the factions in the ongoing Limerick feud, namely the McCarthy Dundon Gang, is also charged with possession of six rounds of .38mm ammunition for the same gun on the same date.

Prosecution told the court today how Gardai found the gun in the glove box of a car, The court heard the gun was found by Gardai on duty in an unmarked patrol car in Edward Street, where they saw two vehicles, the Galaxy and a black Volkswagen Golf.

Det Sgt Kevin McHugh said he saw Hassan take an object out of his jacket and put it into the glove compartment of the Galaxy before getting into the Golf. Gardai stopped the Golf and Det Sgt McHugh took a key from one of the occupants which opened the Ford Galaxy and found the gun.

Via Irish Independent

At the hearing today Mr. Hassan changed his plea to guilty as the court was told
of how the accused is under pressure to pay off a drug debt,

Defence Counsel said Mr Hassan had aserious heroin addiction which brought him into contact with some of the most heinous criminals in Ireland and that he was being used to transport the gun from Limerick to Dublin.Detective Sergeant O`Neill agreed that this was the case.
Via Live 95FM

Gardai believed they had foiled a major Gangland hit when they seized the gun at the time.

Region pounded by strong winds

Winds and gusts of up to 100 kmph are being experienced in the Limerick area as a strong Atlantic storm pushes across the county overnight and through Thursday.

Reports of trees down in Adare, Askeaton and Bruff to name a few.Bits from Bruff blogger Donal reports that Bruff had "either no electricity or very low power." overnight.

NEW DETAILS: Power has been restored to Bruff however 120 houses are still without power kilmeedy and Galbally.

-Latest Wind Speed
-Wind Map
-Rainfall Radar

Moyross man on trial next week

A Moyross man charged in relation to a shooting out the county last year will go on trial next week.

20 year old Paul Reddan (right) is charged with recklessly discharging a firearm on September 19th last.

Mr. Reddan is suspected of discharging a weapon at two men who were travelling in a van near the village of Ballyneety. The occupants, one a brother of murdered crime boss Kieran Keane were uninjured in the attack.

He has been on bail since the incident however at a hearing today the book of evidence was served against him and he will now appear before the circuit court next week when the case will begin.

Ammo seized after planned dig

What’s described as a “huge amount” of ammunition was seized by Gardai after a planned raid in Southill yesterday.

Gardai recovered the almost 300 rounds of ammo when they unearthed the cache in the back garden of an unoccupied house in the estate.

The Examiner reports that the cache was most likely stored there by members of the McCarthy Dundon gang, a notorious group of criminals based in the south side of the city.

Gardai have sent the find to Garda HQ for further analysis. It’s thought this type of ammunition is used in hand guns and semi-automatic weapons.

Weather warnings issued.

The crowd over at the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (TORRO) have placed our area under a Tornado watch from 8pm Tuesday night until midday Wednesday 10th January.

Referring to the region enclosed in the big red line below, the site states,

Regions in and close to the WATCH area are at risk from isolated tornadoes, severe wind gusts to 65mph, occasional cloud-ground lightning, small hail, and heavy rain. The risk is two fold – the 1st, across S Eire – Wales – NW England, close to the point of occlusion, and the second across S Wales and S England along the occlusion/surface trough. The period of validity is rather long as the forecast cannot be monitored overnight, and the system is moving rather slowly.

Usually nothing becomes of these warnings but I just thought I'd throw it up anyway. There was after all ,a tornado in London there not too long ago.

Met.ie hasn’t mentioned a thing on this either.

Limerick TD back in court on tax charges

Limerick Fianna Fáil TD Michael Collins has been back in court again today to face charges in relation to tax offences.

However while before Judge Carroll Moran, the 65 year old was successful in an application to have his case pushed back until after the upcoming General Election.

Defence counsel Paul Green told the judge that, because of the sensitivity of the case, he was anxious that the issue be tried in as dispassionate an atmosphere as possible.

He said the accused was a member of the Oireachtas, which was now at a particular stage in the electoral cycle.

He said there were also personal reasons for seeking the adjournment which he did not want to go into.

Via RTE News

He is charged obtaining a tax clearance certificate under the Standards in Public Office Act by falsely pretending to be tax compliant.

The case was adjourned until July 4th.

Bits from Bruff – New blog

Just a quick note to inform people that a new Limerick blog has surfaced in recent weeks.

Bits from Bruff is a News and Information blog based in Bruff ,County Limerick. It looks to be jam packed full of bit’s of info and goings on in the Bruff area.

A very nice site.

http://bitsfrombruff.blogspot.com/

32 jobs lost at Raheen manufacturing plant

32 jobs are to be lost when a manufacturing plant in Raheen winds down in March.

Essilor, an optical lens manufacturer made the announcement to staff on Friday sating they would all be laid off when the company closes.

A spokesperson for the French company stated to the Limerick Leader,

“The global market position is that the glass optical lens business has been in steady decline over the past 15 years. The market for our glass product has reduced to the point that closure is unavoidable.”.

They did confirm however that the sales department of the Raheen site and it’s Ennis site which employs a total of 330 people would not be affected by the move.

The company set up out in Raheen back in 1973.

Southill searches after reported body sighting

Roxboro Gardai carried out a search of an area of Southill last night after receiving a report that gunshots had been heard and a body had been seen in an area known as Barry’s field.

Gardai say they are treating the reported sighing as serious but say they have not ruled out the possibility of it being a hoax.

Emergency services were on standby last night as Garda teams searched an area and it’s expected that another search will be carried out again today.

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The Blogger reports that the two men who were allegedly killed and discarded in Barry’s Field have made themselves know to Gardai at Roxboro and are safe and well.

It’s believed now that this situation was a hoax.

Sean South commemorations today

Martin McGuinness is due in Limerick City today when Sean South commemorations get under way.

The former Provisional IRA leader now a Sinn Fein MP for Mid Ulster will give an oration at the gravesite of the Irish Volunteer from Limerick who was killed by British Soldiers during an attack on a RUC station on New Years Day in 1957.

Sinn Fein’s Maurice Quinlivan confirmed today that the ceremony will get underway at Bedford Row at 2.55pm where they will march to Mt. St. Laurence where wreaths will be layed among other activities

UPDATE:
A few blurry snaps from the gathering at Bedford Row. Around 300 people were in attendance.

(Above: Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness and Maurice Quinlivan)

UPDATE:
Sinn Fein’s Maurice Quinlivan has sent out a press release with the full text of the Martin McGuinness oration held today. It’s far too big to be posting here so I stuck it on the NewsWireExtra Blog.

More Photos ( from Maurice Quinlivan )

(Above:Martin McGuinness MP MLA, Seamus Sabhat (Seán's brother) and MauriceQuinlivan)


(Above:Martin McGuinness speaking)

Over 100 cars damaged by rampaging gang

Gangs of youths continue to cause trouble in parts of Limerick with revelations today that Gardai are searching for one group after over 100 cars had there windows smashed in Garryowen and Cathedral Place.

Residents of Reidy Court, Kilmurray Avenue, Keane Street, and Fairgreen apparently woke up each morning between December 28th and January 2nd to find windscreens smashed and property taken.

However the gang will remain at large to make more peoples lives a living hell after it emerged that local people believe they know who is behind the attacks but are frightened to report the incidents to the Gardai.

Gerry Hannon to run in General Election

Limerick broadcaster and Author Gerry Hannon, has announced that he is to stand as a candidate in the next General Election.

He made the announcement in an article in Fridays Limerick Leader saying,

“I am running on one issue and one issue only and that is the legalisation of Serenity FM”

The station owner who last month had his Radio Limerick One taken off the air by ComReg will be running in the Limerick East constituency.

In the article he says that he felt compelled to start Serenity Fm as a duty to his listeners and that he is running for the Dáil seat to get the station on the air.

UPDATE: I’ve decided this story falls under the category of “Most ridiculous item of the day”. I would say of the year but I ain’t got a graphic for it.

Two sent forward for trial over fatal crash

Two people charged in connection with a road traffic accident which killed a young Limerick woman have been sent forward for trial at the Circuit Court.

Roman Andreas(21) of Dromroe, Rhebogue and Gearoid Cleary(26) are charged with dangerous driving causing death of 19 year old Emma Woodland last year.

The young student from St. Patrick’s Road was killed just around the corner from her home in a three car pile up on the Ballysimon Road on September 8th.She was the backseat passenger in one of the vehicles.

(Emma Woodland)

At an earlier court hearing the judge was told how Mr. Andreas left the scene of the crash but was apprehended by Gardai shortly after. He was arrested and charged in Limerick District court with dangerous driving and with failing to stop, remain and report to Gardai at the scene of the crash.

The case against both men was today returned to trial at the next sitting of the Circuit Court in Limerick, which begins next week.

Man further remanded over death threats

A man who made threats against a woman just hours after his brother was shot dead has been remanded in custody yet again at a hearing today.

Paul Crawford with an address in Southill is charged with threatening to kill Elizabeth Sparling in O'Malley Park on December 18th, the same night as his brother Noel was shot dead.

More from Breakingnews.ie,

Addressing the court this morning Defence solicitor Ted McCarthy asked that the charge against his client be dealt with expeditiously given that it is alleged to have taken place just hours after his brother died in tragic circumstances.

Inspector Pat Conlan told the court that the state was still awaiting instructions from the DPP in the matter.Judge Tom O'Donnell requested that Mr McCarthy's comments be noted.

Mr. Crawford was further remanded in state custody to appear again before the same court on January 18th.

Nationwide appeal for information on missing woman

Limerick Gardai have issued a fresh nationwide appeal today for any information to establish the whereabouts of a woman who has been missing since early December.

Theresa Warren from Caherconlish was last seen on December 8th in the Garryowen area where she was socializing with friends at a house on Greenhills road. She left that house between 1.30am and 2.00am and has not been seen since.

Radio reports today say that her story is expected to be carried on “TV News” tonight but didn’t specify which TV channel.

Theresa Warren is described as 168cm tall, of medium build and with black wavy hair with a tinge of red. When she was last seen, she was wearing a multi-colored jumper, black and white trousers and a small green jacket. She was visiting a friend at Greenhills Road, Garryowen, and has not been seen since she left the house. Anybody with information should contact Henry Street Garda station on 061-212400
-Via Missing.ie

Garda Sergeant Seamus O'Neill said,

"We are making this nationwide appeal for help just in the event that she may be in other parts of the country or in case anybody remembers seeing her on the night or since then"

Missing Limerick People ( NewsWire Extra)
Map of where Theresa was last seen (Google Maps)

Three vehicle accident in city centre

At least two people have been slightly injured after a three vehicle collision in the city centre this afternoon.

The incident which happened around 12.20pm on O Connell Street involved a Bus Éireann bus, a truck and a car.

Fire service Garda and ambulance personnel all attended the scene at the Augustinian church and a section of O Connell Street was closed from William Street as far as Roches Street for a short time however it has now reopened.

More as and when we get it.

Map of City Centre

Anyone with images of the scene could send them to newswire99[AT]yahoo.co.uk would be appreciated

City Hall warns feuding Southill families

Minister for Defence and Limerick TD Willie O’Dea(left) apparently requested that feuding families in the Southill area to be called into City Hall where they were issued with verbal warnings in relation to their anti-social conduct in the Southside housing estate.

He confirmed to the Limerick Chronicle,

“If people are disrespectful in their estate there is legislation under the housing act to stop it. We are exploring ways and are going to point out that ways are available to City Hall to stop these actions.”

Fianna Fail TD Peter Power stated that the Gardai must now start handing out the new Anti Social Behaviour Orders which came into law yesterday to “rid communities of louts and thugs”

However Gardai stressed that the Garda computer system PULSE, will “not be capable of processing ASBOs for several months so they will initially be recorded in written form”

Three back in court over Murray arson attack

Three teenagers charged in relation to an arson attack in Pineview Gardens last September which injured two children have all appeared back in a Limerick court today.

The 16 year old and two 17 year old males were before judge Tom O Donnell today when he expressed concern that the book of Evidence on the two 17 year olds were still not prepared.

Live 95Fm reports that he informed the gathering that if the book of evidence was not presented in at least two weeks time then a representative from the DPP office would have to give a reason for the delay.

They are charged with intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to two kids namely, Millie Murray(6), and her brother, Gavin(4), at Pineview Gardens on September 10th.

All three will appear again on January 16th.

Section of O'Connell Street to be pedestrianised

Pat Dromey who is the Director of transport with the local authority has confirmed that plans are “underway for the pedestrianisation of O'Connell Street from the junction at William Street as far as Roches Street”

The new plans will be put on display to the public by at least mid June.

“There will be extensive consultation with all the stakeholders before we advance the planning process and we are hopeful that work on the pedestrianisation of O'Connell Street will start in the autumn,but an integral part of pedestrianising O'Connell Street is the proposed inner orbital route of the city that will take the diverted traffic, and this will also be put on public display in the new year"

So far the pedestrianisation of Bedford raw is complete along with a section of Thomas street and it is looking really good with the rest of Thomas street and Catherine Street to be finished by July.

A shop owner says the disruption was worth it,

"The disruption throughout the year was difficult on traders but the end result is definitely worth it. No pain, no gain! I am delighted to hear that parts of O'Connell Street are going to be pedestrianised because it will complement the work done in Thomas Street and Bedford Row."