Inquest held into Moyross woman’s road death

An inquest into the death of a Moyross woman who died in a road traffic accident last year was told today how the woman’s boyfriend had lied when he told Gardai he wasn’t driving the car in which she died.

25-year-old Kathleen Barrett from the Moyross area of Limerick was travelling with her boyfriend when the car they were in left the road around 3.25am near Rathduff on the Cork to Mallow road last February 18th.

Jeffrey McGuane had been driving the car with Kathleen Barrett as a passenger, despite having consumed more than eight alcoholic drinks, when the car they crashed killing her instantly. When Gardai arrived at the scene Mr. McGuane had already exited the vehicle and told arriving Gardai that he was not the driver, a version which the media along with this blog reported the following day.He was removed to hospital for treatment. It was at the scene a few hours later that Gardai became suspicious about Mr. McGuanes story and went to question him in hospital. They were unable however to gain a urine or blood sample from him as a limit of three hours had passed since the accident.

It was a few months after the crash before Jeffrey McGuane finally owned up to Gardai informing them he was driving the car, yet drink driving charges could still not be brought.

He was however found guilty of driving without a licence and insurance, and received a €1,250 fine along with a 12-month driving ban.

Speaking after the inquest today, Rose Barrett, the victim’s mother said that if hospital staff had powers to take blood samples then Mr. McGuane would have faced drink driving charges.

The inquest returned a verdict of misadventure at today’s hearing.

Bonfires set to roar

Bonfires will be roaring across the city and county tonight as people take part in Bonfire night.

The May eve tradition will be held at a number of places around the city and county as the Fire Service prepare for an extremely busy night.

A website which documents Bonfire Customs of the Isle of Ireland describes days gone by,

“The entire population of the district collected round the bush and the fire; the elder portion, men and women, bringing with them chairs or stools, to sit out the wake of the winter and spring, according to the olden usage. The best singers in the crowd lilted up, "The Night before Larry was stretched", or His for de Sweet Libertie"; but the then popular air of "The Baiting of Lord Altham 's Bull", and "De May bush” In limerick city May Eve is still "Bonfire Night" and until recently children in Belfast lit small fires in the side streets in honour of their "May queens"

As per usual, emergency services are pleading with bonfire attendees to take care and especially to watch young children around these dangerous liaisons.

NEW DETAILS
Limerick Fire Service have extinguished a ‘huge’ bonfire at Singland Road in Garryowen, witnesses tell NewsWire.

Defence firm seeks Garda interview tapes

The man accused of the murder of Mark Maloney has appeared in court today, once again making no application for bail.

At the hearing Judge Tom O’Donnell heard that the defence firm for the accused,19 year old Stephen O Sullivan, were seeking Garda tapes of interviews with their client. The judge granted the application for the release of the tapes which hold interviews carried out by gardai with the 19 year old.

Garda Inspector Tom O’Brien told the judge that the DPP file was near completion and should be available in three weeks.

The matter was adjourned until the 20th of May.

Report – 70 jobs to go at Dell Limerick plant

Dell computers have announced today that the company is shedding close to 250 jobs in Ireland.

Meetings will take place at Dell plants in Cherrywood in Dublin an at its Raheen plant here in Limerick where workers will be informed of the news.

It’s believed that 70 of the compulsory redundancies will centre on the Limerick plant while the other 180 jobs will go at the Dublin plant. The workers affected are centred in areas of administration, finance, and Human resources.

The computer manufacturer had stated at the start of the year that it was to shed close to 10% of its workforce worldwide.

Permanent armed response unit for Limerick

Garda officials have confirmed today that a Garda armed response unit will be permanently based in Limerick beginning in July.

The pilot project which would establish the new ‘Southern Regional Response Unit’ will see it’s officers take part in weapons training at Templemore Garda training college and they will also train abroad learning skills and competences used by European forces.

The project is being trialled in Limerick and Cork.

The announcement comes on the day that the Garda Representative Association will debate the idea of having more uniformed member of the force armed.

Last night Deputy General Secretary of the GRA, John Healy, stated he was in favour of motorbike Gardai carrying guns along with other Gardai who are in everyday contact with criminal gang activity.

Kileely area to be hit with another water cut

Residents in the Kileely area will be without water once again this morning as upgrade works continue on the water mains pipes from the Longpavement into the Kileely Road.

The water supply will be shut off from 10.00am with the supply to be restored again by lunchtime.

Six injured as car hits van

Six people including a 3 year old boy have been injured this evening in a major road traffic accident.

Emergency Services attended the scene of the traffic accident which involved at least eight people, on the Fedemore Road.

The accident between the car and a van occurred around 5pm around a mile from Limerick on the R511 road. At least six people, including a young boy, were injured in the accident and were transferred to Limerick regional hospital.The seriousness of their injuries is not known.

A section of the road was closed to traffic as emergency services dealt with the accident.

Fire service tackle major fire in Rathbane

Fire services have extinguished a blaze at a derelict block of apartments in Rathbane this evening, 4 hours after it started.

Fire crews from the city along with county services from Cappamore and Rathkeale had been fighting the blaze at a derelict apartment block at Sycamore Avenue since 2pm in the afternoon.

Gardai were also at the scene for a time. Reports say the block is now unsafe and may be demolished for safety reasons. There were no injuries in the fire.

Man in court on firearm charge

A man has appeared at Limerick district court today charged with the possession of a firearm.

37 year old Edward Connery of Inis Ealga, Shannon was found to be in possession of a Belgian semi-automatic pistol and three rounds of ammunition on Wickham Street at 4.45am Sunday morning.

Garda Inspector Pat Connolly told the court that the gardai did not object to bail being granted to Mr. Connery subject to strict bail conditions. They being that,

“Mr Connery be required to surrender his passport, sign on at Shannon Garda Station on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 9am and 9pm and stay out of Limerick city except for court appearances, or by arrangement to consult with his legal adviser.”

The accused was remanded on bail of €500 to appear again before Limerick District Court on May 28th.

Munster advance to Heineken cup final

Munster have beaten Saracens by a narrow 18 points to 16 in a gripping semi final match bringing the Munster men ever so close to their second Heineken cup.

They’ve reached their fourth final in the contest seeing off a determined Saracens side with tries from O’Gara and Quinlan.

Munster captain Paul O Connell told the media following the match,

“We scored two very good tries and though they had us under a lot of pressure we are happy with our defense and we were able to endure a lot and soak it up."

A London Rugby news site stated that "Munster were always able to rally round Paul O'Connell's leadership, another reason why Sarries' outgoing director of rugby, former Munster coach Alan Gaffney, tipped the former champions to take the trophy back to Limerick in four weeks."

Munster will now face three-time European champions Toulouse on May 24.
They won their first Heineken cup in May 2006.

(Picture: Reuters)

Man arrested in Maloney murder inquiry

Gardai have arrested a man in relation to the murder of Mark Maloney who was gunned down earlier this month.

The 19 year old man was arrested near the crescent shopping centre Saturday evening around 7pm.Reports say he is known to Gardai and was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm.

He is being held at Henry Street Garda station under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.

40 year old Mark Maloney (above) was shot dead near his home in Garryowen on April 5th. 18-year-old Stephen O’Sullivan has already been charged with the murder of Mr. Maloney.

Two men arrested after city gun finds

Two men have been arrested after Gardai recovered two firearms in the city overnight.

A handgun was seized at an address in O Malley Park after Gardai carried out a planed raid in the estate. One man was arrested at the scene.

Elsewhere, a second man was arrested by Gardai after he was found to have an automatic weapon on him in Limerick City centre during the night.The 37 year old, originally from Clare but living in Limerick, was detained as he sat in a car on Wickham Street.

The arrested are being held at Roxboro and Henry Street Garda Stations.

Teens released after pellet gun incident

Gardai have released without charge, two teenagers who were bring held in relation to an incident in Limerick last evening.

Gardai received reports at around 5pm Saturday evening that shots had been fired near Westbury Stores in Corbally and quickly descended on the area.

The two male teenagers were arrested without incident and Gardai recovered two pellet guns on their person. Both were held at Mayorstone Garda station under Section 30 of the Offences against the state act but were released without charge overnight.

A file is being prepared for the DPP.

Meanwhile, a man arrested after guns and a quantity of ammunition were found at a house in St. Marys Park last Friday has likewise been released without charge. A file is being prepared for the DPP in this case also.

Man held after guns and drugs find

A man has been arrested by Limerick Gardai this evening after a number of weapons and drugs were seized.

Gardai, assisted by the Emergency Response Unit, carried out a raid on a house in the St Marys Park estate where they recovered two firearms including a 2.2 rifle and a small quantity of ammunition.

The arrested man, who is in his thirties, is being held tonight at Mayorstone Garda station under section 30 of the offences against the state act. The raid took place around lunchtime.

Taxi drivers to take part in go-slow protest

“There are too many cabs in Limerick”

Limericks full-time taxi drivers will stage a Go-Slow through the city later today in protest of ‘too many part-time drivers’ operating in the city.

The full-time drivers say their livelihoods are at risk due to the number of licences that have been granted to part-time workers in the city.

A spokesman for the disgruntled drivers told local radio this morning,

“It’s gone to the stage now where we’re at our wits end, now we cant earn a living and its as simple as that. There is too many cabs, no place to park, too many part-timers.They are legal by law because they have PSV licences but they’re in constant jobs and they’re coming onto our game. It’s wrong. We can’t make a living.”

The go slow protest will depart the Coonagh roundabout at 3pm this evening and make its way into the city via the Ennis Road before culminating at City Hall.

There are currently close to 950 licensed operators in the city.

Gardai look into shooting report

Gardai are looking into reports that a car was shot at a number of times on the fringes of Limerick City Thursday afternoon.

The incident is believed to have happened at around 4pm at Barry’s Cross.Reports say a number of shots were fired the car from a gunman on a motorbike. No complaint was given to Gardai in relation to the possible attack.

NEW DETAILS
Radio reports today say that a man, living in cratloe Co. Clare, was collecting his daughter from a crèche near Barry Cross when a gunman pulled up to his car and fired at least three shots into the vehicle.

There were no reported injuries.

Burglars may have set fire to house

Gardai are investigating a suspicious house fire which broke out Wednesday evening,

The Fire Service was called to a house in Cosgrave Park late last night after receiving a report of a domestic fire at around midnight.Gardai believe the house which was unoccupied at the time, may have been burgled at set alight be the intruders before they left.

The scene was preserved by Gardai overnight and a technical examination was carried out this morning.

Anyone with information on the incident can call Mayorstone Garda Station on 456980

An Dun reverts back to Dun Bleisce

The people of Doon are celebrating tonight after they succeeded in getting the original Irish translation for the village of Doon restored after it was changed.

For hundreds of years the Limerick village of Doon was known as Dun Bleisce which stands for ‘Fort of the Harlot’. In 2003 however, the Placename commission recommended that the official translation for Doon be changed to ‘An Dun’ as it “was the appropriate Irish name for the village”.

After a sustained campaign by locals which included a motion being adopted by Limerick County Council in November 2006 to request the name be changed back change to the original Dun Bleisce, the locals go their wish. Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Eamon O`Cuiv signed the name change tonight at a ceremony in Doon itself.

The Irish name ‘Dun Bleisce’ can apparently be traced back to the year 774.

Chance encounter saves mans life

A man has been rescued from the River Shannon Wednesday evening by the Limerick Marine Search and Rescue service after the rescue crew spotted him entering the water while they were on a training exercise on the same section of the river.

The rescue team of four personnel had been on a training exercise from their headquarters at Atlas Avenue, when by chance they spotted a man entering the river from an area near the Boat club at around 8.45pm Wednesday evening.

He was quickly brought onboard the rescue boat and treated by ambulance personnel onshore before being taken to the Mid Western Regional hospital as a precaution.

Limerick Marine Search and Rescue service, a volunteer crew, was formed in December 1986 and provides a permanent rescue service in the city.

Saturdays partial building collapse: Photos from the scene

In a follow up to a story NewsWire reported on Satarday. Bock The Robber has kindly sent on some photos from the scene of the partial collapse which saw Upper Mallow Street or Reeves's Path as it in known, closed for a number of hours.

Gardai had cordoned off a section of the street for just under two hours after a small amount of bricks and rubble from fell away from the corner of a derilict house. The fire service feared there would be a further collapse.

The damage was believed to have been caused by a vehicle exiting James Street.

(Click on images to enlarge)

Man injured in city shooting

A man has been injured in a drive-by shooting incident in Limerick city this evening.

The brazen daylight attack occurred around 3.45pm on the Hyde Road area of the city. The victim of the attack has been taken to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital. Gardai say the car used in the attack was found abandoned in the Rhebogue area of the city following the shooting. The area has been sealed off for technical examination.

The victim, a local in his early forties, sustained only injuries to his legs. Gardai are appealing for anyone who may have seen the incident to contact them.

NEW DETAILS
The examiner has more,

"Mr Collins was said to be in a stable condition last night in the Mid-Western Regional Hospital where he was under armed Garda protection. A notorious member of the rival Keane-Collopy gang who was released from prison last week is a prime suspect in the shooting. A green Honda Prelude with English registration plates, which sped from the scene with the gunman, was later found burned out at Rhebogue off the Dublin Road.

Up to 14 shots were discharged in the attack at about 4pm. A number of nearby houses were raked by the gunfire. One senior Garda source said: “There was a frightening number of bullets let off. There were a lot of people on the street, particularly children, as it was such a fine day. Thankfully they were not caught in the gunfire.”

(Picture: RTE)

Toddler dies on transatlantic flight

A two year old baby girl has died on a passenger plane en-route from Germany to the U.S.

The toddler, an Ethiopian national, became ill shortly after the Lufthansa flight which was travelling from Frankfurt to New York, got airborne. It was around 2.30pm when the pilot asked for an emergency landing at Shannon airport.

Gardai, paramedics and a local doctor were on standby when the plane landed but the child was declared dead at the scene.

The toddlers body remains in the sealed off plane tonight as the state pathologist prepares to carry out an examination. The 303 passengers on board the plane will be interviewed by investigating Gardai, which is normal under the circumstances.

A Garda spokesman said tonight that the death is not being treated as suspicious although inquiries are currently ongoing.

"The authorities are doing the investigation on this case and as it's an ongoing investigation we will not give out any further information."

The child was travelling with its parents. Following examinations the body will be removed to the Regional Hospital, Limerick for a post mortem.

NEW DETAILS
Wednesdays Independent reports,

Gardai are believed to be looking at the possibility that the child had been suffering from dehydration and may have been ill before boarding the flight. An airport source said that another possibility being explored is that the toddler may have choked during feeding

NEW DETAILS
A post mortem examination has been completed on the body of the toddler and has concluded that she died of natural causes.

Limerick to 'Dial to stop drug dealing'

An anonymous phone line that anyone can ring to pass on information in relation to drug crime is to be rolled out in Limerick.

In May 2006 Blanchardstown Local Drug Task Force launched a new confidential phone line to help gather information on drug dealing. The free to dial phone line is known as ‘Dial to stop drug dealing’ and has been successful in the Dublin 15 area of the capital.

The project ran for six months when the task force published a report on its success saying,

“Of the reports that were followed up by the Drugs Unit of Blanchardstown Garda Station, 17% were referred on to other Gardaí districts as they contained information outside of the Blanchardstown district. Of the remaining reports, 17% have resulted in arrests with court cases pending, 7% are awaiting further information, 2% are being monitored and 59% are currently part of ongoing Gardaí investigations.”

The group stressed that the services success was attributed to the fact that there was very good media take up on the project and good local support from key stakeholders and citizens. A similar effort would be essential if the service were to be successful in Limerick.

In the 2006 report Mr. Phillip Keegan, Chairperson of the Blanchardstown Local Drug Task Force said,

"The campaign in Blanchardstown had sufficient success to warrant being adapted and piloted countrywide. The national roll-out should be promoted locally through the Local and Regional Drug Task Forces structure. This is in line with Action 5 of the National Drug Strategy which encourages community involvement in supply-control activities with law enforcement agencies."

Key aspects of the Dial to stop drug dealing are that,

The number is free, the number is anonymous, it is a non-Garda number and Second-hand information is good (you don’t have to witness drug dealing). Another key aspect is that the group requesting the information is an alliance of local organisations who are working to stop drug dealing in the area. It is not a direct Garda number.

Most importantly the Dublin 15 scheme found that people prefer to call a non-Garda phone number as apposed to a Garda number due to a fear of reprisal, a reluctance to get involved and concerns about confidentiality.

The sevice will be rolled out nationwide.

Report: Data regarding 10,000 Bank of Ireland customers stolen

RTE reports tonight that the Data commissioner of Ireland is investigating the larceny of four laptops which hold sensitive information regarding 10,000 Bank of Ireland customers,possibly nationwide.

Apparently four bank laptops were stolen between the months of June and October of 2007 however the data commissioner Billy Hawkes was only informed of the thefts in the last week.

It’s though the laptops contained data such as assurance details, bank account details, addresses and customer names.

Revelations that the data on the laptops is not encrypted prompted Mr. Hawkes to state that he is treating the loss of data “as a matter of urgency”.

There is no indication so far that any fraud has been committed so far in relation to the stolen details.

The data commissioner will now be investigating whether or not Bank of Ireland had sufficient security over their laptops. NewsTalk radio reported tonight that Bank of Ireland officials say there is little risk to its customers of fraud taking place but are taking the advice of Gardai on the matter.

NEW DETAILS
The branches affected are Bagnelstown and Courts Place in Carlow; Drogheda and Dunleer in Co Louth; and Montrose, Stephen’s Green and Tallaght in Dublin

Data Commissioners Website
Bank Of Ireland

Stabbing victim won’t identify attackers

It has emerged today that the investigation into a stabbing of a 25 year old woman has come to a grinding halt this week due to the victim’s unwillingness to identify her attackers.

The victim, a Moyross woman, was attacked and stabbed on Clare Street last Thursday afternoon following a row with two other women on the street.

The Limerick Leader reports that although the victim is believed to know who her attackers were, she will not name them to investigating Gardai.

RTE's Nob Nation comes to Limerick

Nob Nation is a topical comedy sketch series broadcast weekdays on RTÉ Radio station 2FM.

In the latest episode “The Nobs” set out to follow Gerry Ryan to Disneyland, but Michael O'Leary doesn't quite get them there. In fact they are taken to Limerick.

Download the mp3 file here (Right Click, Save Target As).

Guns, explosions and other negitive traits...its all there.
..Oh we can hear the whingeing already.

Four appear in court on drugs charges

Four people, three from the mid-west, have appeared before Kilmainham District Court this morning charged with possession of heroin with intent to supply.

In a relatively short appearance, Martin Mulcahy with an address at Courtyard, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, his sister Catherine Mulcahy of Killaloe, Co Clare, Neil O'Hare of Clonlara, Co Clare and Bernard Nugent of Castletymon, Tallaght, Co Dublin were all remanded in custody to appear again later this week.

One report states that there were minor clashes outside court when family members of one of the charged sought to obstruct some cameramen from taking pictures.

The four were arrested by Gardai Saturday during a drugs handover near the Red Cow Roundabout in Dublin. It’s alleged the 1kg of heroin seized during the deal was distained for the Limerick drug market and that three of the defendants had come from the Midwest to collect it.

All four will appear again before Cloverhill court on Thursday morning.

Gardai arrest four during heroin handover

Gardai have smashed a major drug deal in Dublin, seizing at least 1kg of heroin estimated to be worth around €200,000.

The deal, which involved three members of a Limerick gang and a well known Dublin based drug trafficker, was intercepted by Gardai from the National Drugs Unit on the Naas Road.

The three were in Dublin to collect the drugs when the Garda Drugs Unit, assisted by Limerick Gardai, made the arrests. Three are being detained at Clondalkin Garda station while another is being held at Tallaght Garda station.One of the arrested is thought to be a woman.

The woman and two of the men being held at Clondalkin Garda station are due before Kilmainham District Court Monday morning.

All four are believed to be aged between 28 and 42 years old.

On Friday Gardai in Clare seized €53,000 worth of cannabis, ecstasy and amphetamines during raids in Ennis.

NEW DETAILS
All four will now appear before Kilmainham District Court Monday morning charged with possession of heroin with intent to supply.

Paper brands Limerick 'Murder capital of Europe'

The city of Limerick is waking up to the news this morning that The Sunday Independent has branded our treaty city as the murder capital of Europe.

The paper claims that according to the most recent CSO data, Limerick has a ratio of more than seven killings per 100,000 population, while Glasgow, which previously had the highest murder rate, registered just over 5 killings per 100,000.

The Independent explains,

Figures released by the Minister for Justice, Mr Brian Lenihan show an apparently inexorable rise in homicides involving firearms in Ireland. In the past decade, the annual number of deaths from gunshot wounds has risen fivefold. The worst year to date was 2006 with 26 firearms deaths. With nine already this year, 2008 is showing signs of being another record or near-record year for gun homicides.

The data also shows that the Garda operation 'Anvil', which was set up to target criminal gangs in May 2005, has recovered close to 1,500 firearms to date with 634 of these being seized in Limerick.

Full Article: Limerick is now the official 'murder capital' of Europe - See here.

Partial building collapse on Mallow Street

A section of Upper Mallow Street was closed this evening after what witnesses say was a 'partial building collapse'.

Gardai had cordoned off a section of the street for just under two hours after a small amount of bricks and rubble from one building on the street fell away onto the road below around 5.30pm.

The collapse occurred somewhere close to the Scout Hall. There were no injuries.

Southill Shebeen raided for the third time this week

Gardai have raided a Southill Shebeen for the third time this week after reports that it had commenced operating again despite previous Garda forays.

Last weekend officers removed a large quantity of alcohol on two separate nights including beer, spirits, kegs, taps and fridges. Over 3,000 worth of alcohol was claimed to have been confiscated.

More alcohol was seized last night at the Shebeen which is operating from a house in the Keyes Park estate on the southside of the city. The latest raid occurred around 9pm last night.

Following the bust, the proprietor, Francis Kelly said he would be commencing legal action to have his property returned to him.

For those not familiar with the term, a 'Shebeen' is clandestine bar which does not have a liquor licence.

Settlement reached in fathers high court bid

Patrick Fitzgerald has won in his High Court case for damages relating to the death of his four years ago in which the 10 year old was killed by falling goalposts.

The High court received word just before the case got underway this morning that am out of court settlement had been reached between the father and both the FAI and a trustee of the Holy Cross soccer club.

10-year-old Andrew Fitzgerald was killed at Holy Cross soccer camp in county Limerick when a gust of wind caught the sheet covering the goalpost and knocked it on top of him. The settlement amount is undisclosed but is said to be a ‘significant’ figure.

Speaking outside the courtroom this morning, Patrick said they were pleased with the outcome but stressed it was a very traumatic time for the family.

Woman in serious condition after city stabbing

A woman is recovering in hospital tonight after she was injured in a stabbing incident in the city centre this afternoon.

The 25 year old was injured in a fracas with two other women at Clare Street at 3.15pm.She was rushed to St. Johns Hospital where her condition is said to be serious but stable.

Gardai are investigating and say they do not have a motive for the attack nor do they know what type of weapon was used.

NEW DETAILS
The victim is from the Moyross area of the city and sustained a deep cut to her lower side.

Plot to kill murder accused foiled by Gardai - Report

Gardai have foiled a plot to kill a murder accused in his prison cell, a national newspaper has reported.

The Daily Star tabloid reports officers learned of a plan to poison Stephen O Sullivan inside Limerick prison last week not long after he had been charged with murder.

The report details how ‘gangsters’ wanted to smuggle heroin spiked with poison into the jail and inject Mr. O Sullivan with it. The plan would have involved another criminal the jail to inject the accused.

Once the plot was discovered, Mr. O Sullivan was then moved to the midlands prison for his own safety.

He is charged with the murder of 40-year-old Mark Moloney at South Claughan Road in Garryowen in Limerick on April 5th.

Drink driver denies he knocked down Irish tourists

An Italian man who is accused of killing two Irish tourists, one a Limerick woman has said in court he was not driving the car which ran them down.

The trial is continuing of 32 year old Friedrich Vernarelli, who is charged with knocking down the two women, 29-year-old Mary Clare Collins from Kildare and 27-year-old Elizabeth Gubbins from Limerick at a pedestrian crossing near the Vatican on St Patrick’s night of this year.

(The scene of the accident in rome this year- Photo: independent.ie)

The defendant said he had gained some of his memory of the incident and insists he was not behind the wheel when the accident happened.

Investigating judges are said to have rejected his version of events.Mr Vernarelli, who the son of top Italian politician Roberto Vernarelli, a former Mayor and police chief, has already been convicted of two motor offences in the past.

Roberto Vernarelli said his son was a "good boy" who didn’t take a drink.

Father at High Court seeking damages in sons death

The father of a child who was killed when a goalpost fell on top of him at a Limerick soccer camp nearly four years ago, has appeared at the high court in Limerick today seeking an award for post traumatic stress disorder.

10-year-old Andrew Fitzgerald was killed at Holy Cross soccer camp in county Limerick when a gust of wind caught the sheet covering the goalpost and knocked it on top of him.

Pat Fitzgearld is seeking the damages against the FAI and a trustee of the Holy Cross soccer club.

In 2005, the parents were awarded €37,013 at Limerick Circuit Court for the grief they suffered under the Civil Liability Act.

It is understood liability is not being contested in this current case and that this hearing is to decide the degree of damages to be paid.The case may last till the end of the week.

Murder accused complains about treatment while in custody

A man who is currently on remand after being charged with the murder of Mark Maloney over a week ago has complained to a judge about the way in which he has been treated while in custody saying he was being cared for like an animal, locked in his cell for 23 hours a day.

18-year-old Stephen O’Sullivan from Southill made the complaint while appearing at Limerick District Court yesterday.He is charged with the murder of Mark Maloney in Garryowen on April 5th.Judge O’Donnell said there was nothing he could do about the matter.

During the session, Gardai requested more time to prepare the book of evidence against the accused.

The case was adjourned until April 29th.

Photo: http://www.limerickpost.ie

Man receives 3 month sentence for failure to fulfil community service

A man who threatened a Garda while she was preserving the scene of an arson attack has been sentenced to 3 months in prison after he failed to carry out community service for the offence.

24 year old James Clancy from College Avenue, Moyross had previously been sentenced to 200 hours of community service stemming from the incident in Castleconnell last February in which he approached the Garda and ‘became threatening and abusive toward her’ saying, “You’ll be on your own some night, you bitch”.

Limerick District Court heard today that the defendant had not carried out his 200 hours community service and in light of this; Judge Tom O’Donnell imposed a 3 month sentence on the man.

Second violent assault in the city

A foreign national remains in hospital this evening after he was the victim of a serious assault in the city early this morning, the second serious assault in 24 hours.

Gardai say the man suffered a grievous injury to his lip during rhe assault which also left the victim with swollen eyes. He was rushed to Mid-Western Regional Hospital shortly after the incident.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to the attack, which did not involve any weapons, to contact them.

TB screening at Limerick school

Screening for tuberculosis has taken place in Presentation Secondary School in Limerick following the diagnosis of the disease. One case has already been confirmed at the school in the last week.Screening has commenced for classmates of the pupil and others who have had contact with the girl.

The HSE says there are 30 to 40 new cases discovered in Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary every year.

Tuberculosis is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs. But, TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal

Gardai shut down Southill Shebeen

Gardai have seized thousands of euro worth of alcohol from a Southill shebeen over the weekend.

The taphouse,located in a private house in the estate was a major hit with local residents, however time was called last weekend as Gardai carried out a number of operations on the haunt which as the NewsWire has learned also provides poker machines and fruit machines along with satellite TV to it’s regulars.

Gardai commented on the raids,

"We seized quite a large quantity of alcohol on both nights including beer and
spirits. We also seized a number of kegs, taps and fridges."

One man was arrested during the operation at the Keyes Park house for breaching the peace. Gardai said they will be holding on to the confiscated alcohol as evidence.

Man assaulted in city centre

A man is recovering in hospital this evening after suffering an assault at the hands of two men in the city centre.

According to reports, the man was dragged from his car on Nicholas Street after it was rammed by a silver jeep. He was then beaten and suffered stab wounds to his neck and head. The victim, in his twenties is from the Moyross area and was carrying a child in the back seat of his car at the time.

He was taken to St Johns Hospital where his injuries, said to be ‘superficial’ are being treated. Gardai are investigating the incident and will not rule out the possibility it is linked to the cities on-going feud.

The attack occurred around 2.00pm.

The Irish Examiner is reporting the incident is not feud related

(Picture: Limerick Leader)

Four injured in county smashes

A busy last few hours on Limerick roads has left a total of 4 people with injuries in region hospitals.

A man and a woman were both slightly injured when the car in which they were travelling, crashed near Rourkes Cross on the main Limerick to Cork road. The section of the road was closed most of the night while gardai carried out technical examinations.

One person was also injured in a three car crash on the Tipperary Road during the morning rush commute. The injured person was taken to Limerick regional hospital with minor injuries.

Finally a truck driver sustained minor injuries after his truck overturned on the N69 between Kildimo and Pallaskenry. He was taken to Limerick regional hospital.

Offaly accident victim was Limerick resident

A man killed in a traffic accident in Offaly last week has been named by Gardai as 36-year-old Alexsadrs Alajevs, with an address at Mill Road, Corbally in Limerick.

He was the only occupant of the car which hit a bridge in Annagh, Co Offaly early Thursday morning.

Elderly man missing from home in Kilmallock found safe and well

A 76 year old man who had not been seen since he left his Kilmallock home at 11pm last night has been found safe and well.

The family of Maurice Hartnett had become very concerned for his safety as he suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and feared he ‘may be going through a period of memory loss’.An all out search was then launched.

The man was found today on the Kilmallock to Ardpatrick Road.He did not suffer an injuries.

Galwey to gangs: "Sit down and resolve"

The Limerick criminal underworld remains top of the agenda for the national papers this weekend with strong reactions and background to the cities ‘warfare’ receiving multiple page coverage,

Limerick natives have been chiming in on the issue. Limerick hurling manager Ritchie Bennis told the Sunday World,

“I wouldn’t live anywhere else. I am fed up of all the bad publicity. We are very patronised by the media- especially Dublin journalists.”

Rugby Hero Mick Galwey who captained Munster, told the paper about his solution to the bloodshed,

“I would call for the people involved in these feuds to sit down and resolve them. The nature of Limerick people is they are very friendly; you would just like to see someone being a mediator and calling for calm and peace.”

Judging by the reaction of Limerick people to numerous mediation volunteers such as Willie O’Dea and John Devane in the past, Mick’s idea is not the answer.

More Limerick people weigh in on the issue in todays Sunday World.

Writing in today’s Sunday Independent, Limerick TD and Minister for Defence told the nation that Limerick is a good place to live,

“No one in Limerick underestimates the challenges our city faces, but neither will we allow the actions of a small number drag Limerick's reputation down with them. Their barbaric actions, and the understandable coverage this receives, are not a fair reflection of daily life in Limerick.

For 99.99 per cent of the population of the city, daily life is as normal, bustling and lively as anywhere in Ireland. For the majority of the people here, Limerick is a good place to live.”

More from Willie Here

Senior gang member arrested after ERU operation

As Limerick Gardai come under more and more pressure to crack down on criminal gangs, known to me and you as ‘doing their job’, a 46 year old man has been arrested after a taser gun was used for the first time in the history of the state.

The man, seen as a top underworld figure, was arrested last night after he was confronted by members of the Garda Emergency Response unit in the Garryowen area of the city.

Once arrested around 10.45pm, The ERU (seen left) found an automatic pistol and two magazines on his person.

Locals say he is linked to the Keane-Collopys. He is being held in Henry Street Garda Station under Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act.

NEW DETAILS
He has been named as 46-year old Stephen Fitzgerald and has been charged with firearm offences and after appearing at a special sitting of Limerick District court tonight.

He did not apply for bail.
Limerick Leader

City violence described as the ‘fruit of greed’

The ongoing violence and murder in Limerick will be described as the ‘fruit of greed’ in a statement by Limericks bishop Donal Murray.

In the statement which will be read out at masses around the city this weekend, he described the hatred and desire for revenge,

“Can those who engage in such evil actions not see what is so obvious to everyone else - the utter futility of brutal behavior which disregards the value of human life, which brings tragedy and sorrow to the families of their victims, and which shrivels their own humanity?”

Public figures are trying to quell the tensions in the city since the murders of Mark Maloney and James Cronin last weekend.