Flash flooding hits west county Limerick

Heavy deluges of rain have left emergency services dealing with major flooding in county Limerick Thursday evening.

Locals tell the Limerick NewsWire that the town of Newcastle West has been hit with some flash flooding with fire services from Newcastle West backed up by units from Foynes, Abbeyfeale and Rathkeale, working around the clock to pump flood waters from premises around the townland.

Numerous premises are affected including a local convent, a nursing home, along with the award winning Cube Hair Salon in the town. Some houses in the area are reported to be under a foot and a half of water. An major cleanup operation is underway.

The townlands of Glin , Althea , Monegea ,Feenagh , Ballingarry , Ardagh and Castlemahon have also experienced major flooding.

Although no injuries have been reported so far as a result of the flooding, at least three people have had to be rescued from cars which were caught in rising waters.

AA Roadwatch is warning motorists to drive with extreme care due very wet road conditions in parts around the country, with localised flooding to watch out for in rural areas.

More details as they become available.

Limerick woman dies after Lahinch rescue

A Limerick woman has died after being rescued from waters off of Lahinch Tuesday evening.

39 year old Finoa Ring of Bruff Co Limerick, had been surfing at Lahinch beach and had been in the water for more than an hour before the alarm was raised.

Doolin coastguard vessels along with the Shannon based coastguard helicopter began a search for the woman around 10.00pm.

The victim was airlifted to a Galway hospital after spending almost two hours in the sea, but was pronounced dead a short time later.

Man killed in county crash

A man has been killed in a road accident in Co. Limerick this morning.

The victim, a 74 year old retired Garda, was involved in a single vehicle crash on the R512 Bruff to Killmallock Road around 10.00am.He was the only cccupant of the car.

Gardai have said the road will remain closed until at least 2pm while technical examinations are carried out. Diversions are currently in place.

NEW DETAILS
The victim has been named as 74-year-old Joe McNamara.

City employee dies while digging grave

A cemetery worker has died while digging a grave at a city graveyard this morning.

It’s understood 51-year-old Martin Duhig was working at a grave site at Mount Saint Olivers when he fell awkwardly at around 9am. He sustained major head injuries.

He was taken to St. Johns Hospital by ambulance however he died a short time later. Radio reports say the man, who worked for the parks department is a well known member of his community in the Kings island.

Limerick City Council and Gardai have launched an investigation into the accident.

Elderly man had ear ‘bitten off’ during burglary

More details are emerging today in relation to an aggravated burglary at the home of an elderly man on the Ballysimon Road Friday night.

Reports this morning say the victim of the burglary, a man in his 60s, had an ear bitten off by the teenage intruder during the break-in and subsequently needed 26 stitches.

Fire services were also called to the scene after an attempt was made to set the house on fire.

The youth has since been charged with robbery and will appear before Limerick Juvenile Court on Tuesday morning.

Limerick teen seriously injured in Kilkee diving accident

A Limerick teenager has been airlifted to hospital following an accident while swimming this evening.

The 17 year old sustained serious injuries after striking his head off rocks while diving in Kilkee, Co. Clare. He is reported to have sustained head, neck and back injuries.

The incident occurred at the well known Pollock Holes area of the coastal town at around 5.30pm.

The victim was rescued from the water by members of Kilkee Marine Rescue Service and was flown directly to Cork University Hospital.

NEW DETAILS
The teenager has since been released from hospital.

Elderly man hospitalised following burglary

An elderly man is recovering in hospital following an aggravated burglary Friday night.

The man in his 60’s was at his home at St. Judes Avenue on the Ballysimon Road when a youth entered the premises and assaulted the elderly man around 3am.

Local radio reports the victim was assaulted after he disturbed the intruder. He was taken to Limerick Regional Hospital where he is being treated for a number of injuries.

A 17 year old youth has been arrested in relation to the break-in. He is being detained by Gardai at Henry Street Garda station.

Two men jailed over Emma Woodland death

Two men have been jailed for causing the death of a young limerick student in a road crash nearly two years ago.

25 year old Gearóid Cleary and 23 year old Roman Andreas were sentenced Friday at Limerick court in relation to the road crash in which a 19-year-old Limerick woman Emma Woodland was killed.

Romanas Andreas pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Emma Woodland at Ballysimon Road in Limerick on 9 September 2006.He was drunk at the time and the high-powered BMW he was driving at excessive speed collided with a Honda car driven by Gearoid Cleary.

Mr Cleary's car subsequently crashed into a Toyota Starlet car in which Ms Woodland was a backseat passenger. She died from her injuries. Mr Cleary contested the charge in court insisting he was never the cause of Ms Woodland's death, but he was found guilty by a jury in July.

Ms Woodland's brother Ian said the loss of his only sibling had left his family's life torn apart, and they were living in a never-ending nightmare.

Via RTE News

Mr. Cleary was given a 4 year jail term while Mr. Andreas received a three-year sentence.

The prosecution had alleged that the two men were racing on the Ballysimon Road at high speeds when the collision occurred.

Related Stories on Limerick NewsWire
Man found guilty in dangerous driving case (June 10 ,2008)
Two sent forward for trial over fatal crash (Jan 4, 2007)
Man further charged after crash (Sept 19, 2006)
Prisoner beaten in Limerick prison cell (Sept 13, 2006)
19-year-old killed in late night crash (Sept 9, 2006)

Limerick teen killed in Kerry crash

A Limerick teenager has been killed in a road traffic accident in Co. Kerry overnight.

The 17 year old from Abbeyfeale was killed after the car in which he was a back seat passenger crashed into a ditch at Bunghara, 4km from the town of Listowl. One of the two other people travelling in the car was taken to Kerry general hospital.

No other vehicle was involved in the incident. Gardai are investigating.

NEW DETAILS
The deceased has been named locally as 17 year old Matthew O Connor of Abbeyfeale.

Man in court charged with stepfathers killing

A Limerick man has been released on bail after he appeared in court today charged with the manslaughter of his own stepfather.

26 year old Damien O'Grady (seen right) appeared at Limerick District court Thursday accused of unlawfully killing 46-year-old Stephen O’Grady at a house on Lenihan Avenue last November 29th. The retired army corporal was killed following a domestic argument in the early hours of the morning.

Speaking to the judge, Det Garda Paul Madden told of how the accused made no reply when charged on Wednesday morning.

There was no Garda objection to bail with Mr. O’Grady ordered by Judge Tom O'Donnell to sign on three times a week at Roxboro Garda station.

Group uses YouTube to highlight Weston ruins

Local 'political activism' on a global platform.

The Limerick branch of Republican Sinn Fein have utilised video sharing website Youtube, to highlight the ‘social conditions’ in Weston.

Spokesman for the group Joe Lynch gives us a tour of some abandoned houses.


Caution: Lots of pointing :-)

Teen accused of spitting on Jerry McCabe statue

A court was told this week of how an arrested teenager allegedly spat on a commemorative statue of the late Garda Jerry McCabe while in custody at Henry Street Garda station.

The 16 year old, who was arrested for public order offences on May 28th, was reported to be threatening and abusive to Gardai while in the reception of the city Garda station when he spat on the sculpture.

It is also reported that he allegedly told Gardai that there isn’t enough of them dead.

At a hearing this week Judge Tom O Donnell ordered a probation report on the teen ,who has since been forthcoming with a written apology in relation to the incident.

Detective Garda Jerry McCabe was shot dead during a post office robbery in the county Limerick town of Adare almost 12 years ago.

Gardai seize more drugs in the county

Just a week after €190,000 worth heroin and cannabis in the village of Clarina, Gardai in Newcastlewest have revealed that cannabis plants with an estimated street value of €10,000, have been seized in the town of Ballyagran.

Gardai raided a rented house in the village at around 4.00pm Tuesday where they also recovered electrical equipment.

No arrests were made during the operation.

49 new jobs for Raheen Industrial Park

A US firm has announced the creation of 49 jobs for Limerick.

OnSemiconductor, a ‘supplier of efficient silicon solutions’ is reported to be establishing a Research and development plant in the Raheen Industrial Park.

ON Semiconductor’s new R&D centre in Limerick aims to become a centre of expertise in digital power management and thermal management for next-generation processors, creating 49 high-calibre jobs for semiconductor designers and engineers.
It will develop controller and driver integrated circuits for next-generation processors in servers, gaming consoles, desktop and laptop computers. Some 28 employees are already in place.

Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, ON Semiconductor designs, manufactures and markets power and data management semiconductors and standard semiconductor components worldwide. Its existing Limerick operation won the R&D centre project against strong competition from other ON Semiconductor sites worldwide.
Via Silicon Republic

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan spoke at the announcement of the jobs creation saying the choice of Limerick for this investment “is a major endorsement of Ireland’s ability to successfully implement such technologically advanced R&D projects”

Full Press Release Here

Limerick man found dead in Alaska

Police in the American state of Alaska are investigating the death of a native Limerick man.

The body of 36 year old Edward Byrnes who is originally from Granville Park in Limerick City, was discovered under a bridge in the city of Anchorage on Friday last. He is believed to have fallen to his death.

Media reports say Mr. Byrnes was a member of the US army and had only recently returned from duty in Iraq. Local police continue to investigate.

Two arrested in 'serious crime' probe

Gardai investigating ‘serious crime’ on the northside of Limerick City have arrested two people.

The pair were arrested Friday evening by local Gardai who were assisted by the elite Emergency Response Unit.

One man has since been released however the other is still being held under section 30 of the offences against the state act.

NEW DETAILS
Local radio reports that cocaine and cannabis worth €60,000 along with firearms and ammunition, were recovered following the searches in the Ballynanty area of the city.

Man killed as bike collides with truck

A man in his 40’s has been killed in a road traffic accident on the Limerick bypass this afternoon.

The man, who was on a bicycle, was in collision with a truck at around 1.50pm.The accident happened just after the Ballysimon Road turnoff.

Radio reports say the injured man was taken to the mid western regional hospital however he died from his injuries a short time later.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to contact them on 061 212400.

NEW DETAILS
Gardai have named the deceased as 49 year old Tony O'Regan from Raheen, Co Limerick

€190,000 drug bust in Clarina

Gardai have revealed that one the biggest drug seizures in Limerick this year, took place in Clarina on Monday.

18 Gardai from Henry Street seized heroin and cannabis which have a total street value of €190,000 at a house in the village.

One person was arrested at the scene and questioned but was released without charge a short time later.

Six arrested in Cronin murder investigation

A total of six people have been arrested in connection with the death of James Cronin in April this year.

Two men in their early twenties, three women in their twenties and a 16-year-old boy, were all arrested yesterday evening in connection with the murder. All six were detained in the Weston area of the city.

The body of 20 year old James Cronin was found on waste ground close to the city on April 7th. He had suffered a fatal gunshot wound.

All arrested can be held for up to 72hrs before being released or charged.

NEW DETAILS (10/7/08)
All six have been released without charge according to local radio reports.

Boy dies after being hit by car

A 10 year old boy has been killed in a road accident in Co. Limerick this morning.

The young boy was believed to have be been struck by a car while crossing a road in the village of Dereen near Althea around 8am.

The youngster, who is from the local area, was pronounced dead at the scene. The scene has been preserved for technical examination.

Limerick man in court over false passport

A Limerick man has been arrested at Cork airport after he was found to possessing a false passport.

Gerard Dundon with an address at Hyde Avenue in Limerick city was stopped by Gardai yesterday as he attempted to board a flight to Amsterdam.

The 21 year old, believed by Gardai to be a leading member of a south side crime gang, appeared at a special sitting of Cork district court this morning.

At the hearing this morning the court heard how he told Gardai at the time of his arrest that he carries a false passport ‘for protection’.

Mr. Dundon was further remanded in custody to appear again on Monday.

Flash flooding hits Rathkeale following heavy rain

An major cleanup operation is underway in Rathkeale this evening after a massive deluge of rain flooded the main street and other parts of the town.

Fire services from Rathkeale, assisted by units from Newcastlewest, were this evening assisting residents and business owners in the county Limerick town to remove water from premises and pump away water from the streets.

In an email to the NewsWire blog, a resident described the event as an ‘extreme deluge’.

Local radio reports the underpass on Askeaton road out of the town was flooded. NewsWire understands emergency services were needed to assist people from their cars at the underpass.

An unstable trough of low pressure is currently covering Ireland which is spawning heavy thundery showers.

Car driven into Shannon River

A man was lucky to escape with his life last night after a car was driven into the river Shannon.

Emergency services along with the Limerick Marine search and rescue responded to the scene at St. Micheals rowing club just after 12.30am after receiving reports of a car submerged up to its roof.

The man, who was in his thirties and the only occupant of the car, was taken to the mid-western regional hospital. The extent of any injuries is not known. Gardai are investigating.

NEW DETAILS
The Limerick Leader is now reporting the story

Man critical following hotel accident

A man is still in critical condition after he fell over an internal staircase railing at the Hilton hotel in the city over the weekend.

The man, believed to be in his twenties and from Ennis Co Clare was waiting with a friend for a taxi at the hotel late Saturday night when the accident happened.

A Garda spokesperson told the Limerick Leader today,

"It seems the men were both intoxicated when they arrived at the hotel and one of them away from the lobby, possibly to find a bathroom. He went up one of the stairs near the bar area and fell sideways over the staircase. There is no suggestion of anyone else being involved in this. We are treating it as an unfortunate and tragic accident”

Emergency services responded to the tragic accident at around 4am and the man was rushed to the Mid-western Regional Hospital however he was later moved to the Neurosurgical unit at Cork University hospital a few hours later.

He remains in intensive care.