Two men released in Geoghegan murder probe

Two people have been arrested, questioned and subsequently released, in relation to the murder of Shane Geoghegan who was shot dead last November.

A 57 year old man was arrested yesterday morning at his home in Limerick city and a 28 year old man arrested in Clondalkin Co. Dublin.

Both were reportedly being held on the suspicion of withholding information relating to the murder. Gardai say they were detained under section 30 of The Offences Against The State Act at Roxboro Road and Clondalkin Garda Stations.

Both were released without charge yesterday evening and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to their detentions.

Mr. Geoghegan was visiting friends in the Clonmore estate in Kilteragh Dooradoyle last Novemeber 9th when the was gunned down in a case of mistaken identity during his short walk home.

Man charged with Gareth Grant murder

A young Limerick man has been charged with the murder of another man in the city over a year ago.

21 year old Greg Crawford of St Munchins Street, St Mary's Park was charged at 10.25am this morning with the murder of Gareth Grant on October 9th 2007.

The 25 year old was shot outside his house on St Ita Street while his three kids and partner were at their home. He had just left the house when he was ambushed and shot in the chest.

There was outrage expressed with Gardai at the time after it emerged that armed Gardai had been patrolling at the other end of the same street at the time of the shooting.

At last count a total of 14 people were questioned about the murder of Mr Grant, including an elderly couple from St. Mary’s Park in an investigation which Gardai described as "a long and protracted" one.

Grant was apparently killed following an internal row between members of a criminal gang. Mr. Crawford will appear agian in court on Feb 4th.

Castletroy Park Hotel goes into liquidation

The Castletroy Park Hotel has apparently gone into liquidation because of trading difficulties, RTE news reports today.

The hotel, one of the longest established hotels in Limerick employs 130 people.

They were told at a meeting last Monday of the company's financial difficulties, Staff heard that management were attempting to speak to other parties to put a rescue plan in place.

The hotel's management were due to come back to staff tomorrow to tell them of the progress of those rescue talks.However SIPTU, which represents some of the staff at the hotel, said staff were informed this morning that the hotel had gone into liquidation.
Via RTE News

Staff were then told to go home, and the hotel is now said to be closed.

Limerick Garda recruit receives medal honour

A Limerick born Garda recruit has been awarded a prestigious medal at the Garda Graduation Ceremony at the Garda Training College today.

Garda Deirdre O’Doherty a native of Moyross has been awarded the Gary Sheehan Memorial medal at the ceremony which saw 224 Gardai graduate in all. The medal commemorates a Recruit Garda, who was killed on duty in Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim, in December, 1983.

Following graduation it’s reported Garda O’Doherty will be attached to Ennis Garda Station.

Teen injured in stabbing attack

A southside teenager remains in a critical but stable condition today following a stabbing incident in Limerick overnight.

Gardai say a 17 year old male received serious wounds following an altercation at the Shannon bridge roundabout near Jury’s Inn around 2am. Its reported the young man was stabbed multiple times at the hands of an unidentified attacker. He was rushed to the Mid Western hospital.

Investigating gardai say they do not have a description of the attacker and are waiting to speak to the injured teenager as soon as he recovers.

Schoolgirl killed in early morning accident

A 13 year old schoolgirl has been killed following a traffic accident in Limerick.

It’s understood the girl was crossing the Old Cork Road at the Cat's Cradle pub in Carrigmartin around 7.50am when she was struck and killed by an oncoming car.

The victim has been named locally as Maura Hourigan who was a 1st year student at Laurel Hill Secondary School in Limerick City, Live95FM reports.

Gardai at Roxboro are investigating the accident and the road remains closed while Garda Forensic Collision Investigators examine the scene.

AA Roadwatch says,

The Old Cork rd is closed until further notice from the Four Elms pub to Ballyneety village following an earlier crash at the Cat's Cradle. Diversions are in place.

Its expected the road will reopen again before 2pm.

Anyone who may have witnessed this collision is asked to contact Roxboro Garda Station at 061-214340.

NEW DETAILS
The Old Cork road has now reopened.

Man taken to hospital following serious incident

A man has been rushed to a city hospital following a serious stabbing incident in the city today.

The incident allegedly happened on Nicholas Street around 4.15pm in which a man sustained injuries in an attack close to a pub on the street.

Local radio reports the injured man was taken to St. Johns Hospital where he is being treated for his injuries.

The area of the attack, considered a crime scene, has been sealed off as Gardai begin examinations of the scene.

Its reported the man sustained a neck wound in the attack however his injuries are not life threatening. No arrests have been made.

It comes as Gardai were still on site carrying out investigations at a different pub on the same street as previously reported today.

Gardai raid ‘The Mucky Duck’ pub

Gardai have carried out a raid on a city centre pub as part of continuing operations against organised crime in Limerick.

Gardai from Henry Street along with member of the Criminal Assets Bureaux raided the Mucky Duck, formally Dick Devanes pub on Nicholas Street early this morning and operations are said to be ongoing at the premises.

Reports over the last few months had suggested the Collopy crime gang had acquired the pub and CAB officials had been investigating the premises for a number of weeks.

Gardai recover firearms and ammunition in city search

Gardai investigating serious crime in Limerick have carried out planned searches in the city this evening.

Gardai at Roxboro Road carried out searches of an open area off the Childers Road this evening recovering two sawn off shotguns along with a rifle and ammunition.

A suspect package was also found during the search and an Army Explosive Ordinance team was requested to attend the scene.

NEW DETAILS
The package contained what is described as 4 viable pipe bombs and two controlled explosions were carried out overnight, making the devices safe.

Gardai are continuing to investigate the origins and source of the firearms and explosives which were found in the Glasgow Park area.

Gardaí say they are investigating possible paramilitary links to the discovery of the pipe bombs.

Two arrested in relation to Molloy death

Two people have been arrested in connection with the death of a Weston man on Friday night.

39 year old Mike Molloy from Garryglass Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston was assaulted outside his home on Friday night and died the following day from injuries he sustained.

Two men in their late teens were arrested in Limerick City early this afternoon, local radio reports.

Both men are being held at Roxboro Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

Fire rages at car sales and repair center

A fire has ripped through a car service and repairs centre on the Ballysimon Road causing severe damage, NewsWire has learned.

At least 3 units of Limerick City Fire Service responded to the blaze at the ‘Orange Motors’ mechanics facility which is situated in the Monoclino Industrial estate just off Childers Road around 1am Monday morning.

Numerous cars at the centre were damaged or destroyed in the blaze.

No word at this stage on what caused the fire.

Gardai investigate death of man in Weston

Gardai at Roxboro have confirmed Sunday they are investigating the death of a man in Weston over the weekend.

Gardai and ambulance services responded Friday night to reports of a serious assault on a 39 year old man at his home in Weston. The victim was immediately rushed to the Mid-Western regional hospital however is it being reported he died just 24 hours later from injuries he sustained in the attack.

A post mortem carried out by state pathologist Dr. Marie Cassidy confirmed Sunday that the man had died from injuries consistent with an assault.

The Limerick Leader reminds us this incident is not believed to be feud related.

NEW DETAILS
The deceased has been named as Mike Molloy from Garryglass Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston.

Gardai believe that Mr Molloy sustained the injuries after being attacked in a car by two men outside his home. Officers think he may have refused to get out of the car and the men then turned on him.

Man injured in west Limerick crash

One person has been injured in a road traffic accident in county Limerick this afternoon.

Emergency services responded to reports of a single vehicle collision on the Ardagh Road near Newcastle West around midday.

Ambulance services removed one man from the car and he has been taken to the Mid Western Regional Hospital with minor injuries.

AA Roadwatch has been warning of very icy road conditions around the mid west early this morning.

NEW DETAILS
The injured man is in his 50's and two units of the Newcastle West Fire service also attended the scene.

Search underway of Shannon river

Limerick Marine search and rescue service are reportedly carrying out a search of the Shannon River this afternoon, NewsWire has learned.

The crew are concentrating on an area north of the Shannon Bridge. NewsWire understands members of the Garda Sub Aqua unit are also in attendance on the quays.

No further details are available.

NEW DETAILS
Searches concluded around 5pm Thursday evening.

Man dies in city center accident

A man has died after he was struck by a car in Limerick city last night.

The 67 year old pedestrian was hit by a car on Clare Street around 10.20pm as he was walking home. He was killed instantly.

His body has been removed to the Midwest Regional Hospital and Gardai are appealing for witnesses to the accident to come forward.

NEW DETAILS
The victim has been named locally as 67 year old Sean Humphrys of Lelia Place in Limerick City.

Liam Keane given 10 year jail sentence

A prominent Limerick crime figure has been sentenced to 10 years in jail this morning after being convicted of the possession of a loaded semi automatic pistol, the possession of 13 rounds of ammunition and driving a stolen sports car in may last year.

24 year old Liam Keane, of Singland, Ballysimon and 21-year-old Greg Crawford were arrested by Gardai assisted by the Emergency Response Unit in the Corbally area of the city on May 4th after Gardai spotted the two men driving a stolen Mazda car. Following a very brief pursuit Gardai stopped the car and the pair were arrested and the pistol was discovered in the car, primed and loaded.

In court today Mr Keane was handed a 10 year jail sentence while his co-accused Greg Crawford was also handed down a 10 year sentence.

The court was told again today of how the same pistol found in the car which was stolen in Portmarnock, Dublin a month earlier, was used in an earlier shooting incident in April.

Keane had previously pleaded guilty to all charges laid before him on October 8 last, a court hearing where he stated he wasn’t intent on using the loaded 9mm Glock on anybody, insisting he was out that night to "see a bird".

Upon sentencing this morning, Jude Carroll Moran told the courtroom that both men were "in possession of a gun for a serious and sinister purpose for an immediate nature, which cannot be specified."

Man dies in Dooradoyle crash

Gardai are investigating a road traffic accident on the Dooradoyle Road which has claimed the life of a young driver.

The accident happened at around 2am this morning when a BMW car left the road and hit a wall and entrance pillar to a house, killing the 23 year old male driver.

Two other teenagers that were travelling in the car at the time were seriously injured. One is said to be in a critical condition at the mid western regional hospital.

The road was closed for a few hours after the crash as technical examinations of the scene was carried out however it has since reopened.

Gardai at Roxboro are investigating the accident and the victim has yet to be named.

NEW DETAILS
The driver has been named Monday morning as 23 year old Martin Moran from Woodview Park.

Mr. Moran won a bronze medal while representing Ireland at the World Skills Championship in Japan in 2007.

Warning of 'severe weather event' on Saturday

Met agencies are warning of severe weather with heavy rain and high winds for Saturday.

A weather warning issued by Met Eireann today reads,

Wind:
Southerly winds, later veering west, will reach mean speeds of 35 to 45 knots (65 to 85 km/h) with gusts of 60 to 75 knots. (110 to 140 km/h). The highest gusts will be along exposed coasts, and over high ground.

Rain:
Rainfall totals of 20 mm to 30 mm are possible over much of Connacht, West Munster and West Ulster, with totals of 15 mm to 20 mm elsewhere.
Some flooding is likely.

Met Eireann says it will be extremely windy and stormy, especially in the west of Munster.

NEW DETAILS
Numerous trees are reported to be down around the county including one on the main Limerick to Shannon dual carriageway. AA Roadwatch is advising motorists to drive with extreme care and watch out for fallen debris.

(2.38pm)- The AA reports there is a fallen tree blocking the Limerick to Galbally road.

(2.56pm)- A 90m cargo vessel that had left Foynes in Co Limerick yesterday en route to Bordeaux, France has lost power and is drifting in the harsh weather conditions near Dingle bay,Kerry.

(3.45pm)-Falling trees have brought down power lines near Towerhill, Cappamore. Emergency services are reportedly at the scene.

(5.15pm)-Tree reported down on road in Athea, Co Limerick.

(5.24pm)- Emergency services are dealing with downed trees in the Ballyneety area.

Match Day at Thomond Park

Munster vs Sale Sharks
Kick off: 8.00pm

Its Match night again at Thomond Park as Munster take on Sale Sharks in their crucial Heineken Cup match this evening.

AA Roadwatch advises that road closures will be in place around the stadium from early evening and Gardai are warning that traffic is likely to be very heavy from approx 5:30pm onwards.

Motorists are advised to travel into the city early and find parking before 6pm to avoid delays. City centre car parks will stay open later than usual to accommodate patrons.

Gardai are advising people to not park on any public green area around the stadium and have even made it very clear to the incoming Sale fans - Read Here.

Teams for the match

MUNSTER:
P Warwick; D Howlett, K Earls, L Mafi, I Dowling; R O’Gara, T O’Leary; M Horan. J Flannery, J Hayes; D O’Callaghan, P O’Connell (capt); A Quinlan, D Wallace, D Leamy.

Subs: D Fogarty,FPucciariello,DRyan,NRonan,PStringer, B Murphy, DHurley.

SALE
M Cueto; C Bell, A Tuilagi, L McAlister, DDoherty; CHodgson, RWigglesworth ;L Faure,M Jones, E Roberts; S Chabal, D Schofield; C Jones, N Briggs, JMFernandezLobbe(capt).

Subs: S Turner, A Sheridan,B Cockbain, CFearns,D Peel,R Keil, M Tait.

Listen to live Coverage on Local Live95fm Radio

400 jobs to be lost at Banta - SIPTU

At least 400 people are expected to be laid off in the coming months at the RR Donnelly plant in Raheen, a SIPTU union spokesperson has said.

The union has said today that workers have been told that as the company’s contracts with Dell are phased out during the year, activity at RR Donnelly will also be wound down.

A spokesperson for SIPTU told the Limerick Leader yesterday,

"All the work that is carried out at RR Donnelly is for Dell. From what we have been told by our members; it seems that they will be phasing out jobs there on much the same timeline as they are at Dell over the next 12 months. Although we have union members at RR Donnelly, at the moment we don't have recognition from the company. However, if there are collective redundancies, they are legally obliged to discuss redundancy packages with the unions."

The company has yet to make any official announcement on the situation.

Fears grow for more West Limerick jobs

There are fears today of further jobs misery in West Limerick following reports that a Limerick company may be cutting jobs.

A Limerick SIPTU representative has said there is a growing concern among workers of the car components manufacturer Kostal, which employs 650 people at its Abbeyfeale plant and 400 at its Mallow plant, that it may be planning to announce redundancies.

RTE reports company officials were to meet employees at both its plants in Abbeyfeale and Mallow Friday morning.

NEW DETAILS
The company has told staff on Friday morning at both plants that 200 redundancies are being sought in Abbeyfeale and 100 more are being sought in Mallow.

Kelly fined €63 for occupying Shebeen

A Limerick man has been found guilty of occupying an unlicensed drink premises in Southill last April and has been handed down a hefty €63.49 fine.

Gardai say 48 year old Anthony Kelly was at the Shebeen which is allegedly run by his brother Francis, at Keyes Park last April when Gardai raided the location.

Judge Tom O Donnell agreed with investigating Gardai today that the drinking house was indeed operated as a "commercial enterprise", something which the owner denies.

O' Donnell said that ‘Ma Kelly’s’ had "all the appearances, vestiges and attributes of a bar, and dare I say it, the ambiance of a bar"

The Judge imposed the maximum fine allowed for the offence committed by Kelly, a £50 old Irish punt fine which he converted to €63.49 and told Kelly he had three months to pay.

Gardai have raided the unlicensed drink premises on numerous occasions seizing large quantities of alcohol, spirits, kegs, taps and fridges.

Three in court for running Clancy’s Strand brothel

Three women have appeared in court in Limerick charged in connection with the alleged operation of a brothel.

Brazilians 40 year old Maria Da Silva, 32 year old Joiceline Costas Dos Santos and 31 year old Ana Christina Dos Santos appeared on front of Judge Tom O Donnell at Limerick District Court last night charged with running the brothel at an apartment on Clancy’s Strand.

The Chronicle reports of how Garda Inspector Seamus Gallagher told the judge that inquiries into the bank account of Maria Da Silva were at “an early stage” and requested the case be adjourned until Wednesday. He also said that the case “might be complicated” because of what Gardai found on the premises when it was raided.

All three were remanded in custody until tomorrow.

Man pleads guilty to city hotel murder

A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a woman at a Limerick City hotel in 2007.

24 year old Jerry McGrath from Knockavilla in Co Tipperary pleaded guilty this morning at the Central criminal Court to the murder of mother of two, 33 year old Sylvia Roche Kelly at the Clarion hotel on December 8th 2007.

Mrs Kelly who is originally from Coonagh was celebrating her 33rd birthday with family and friends on the night she was found dead at a hotel room by staff of the hotel, the victim of a violent assault.

More evidence will be heard in the trial later today.

NEW DETAILS
24 year old Jerry McGrath has been convicted of murder.

Mr Justice Barry White has sentenced the 24 year old to life in prison for the murder of 33 year old Sylvia Roche Kelly.

Irish Blog Awards 2009- Nominations

Nominations are now open for the 2009 Irish Blog Awards which will be held in Cork this year.

The nomination form can be found here. Nominate your favourite blog in each of the categories.

Vote, nominations close in two days on 14th January.

Cheers,
Newsy

Shannon river search resumes today

A search will resume today of the river Shannon after a man was reportedly seen falling into the water Saturday evening.

Emergency services responded to reports of the incident at the Shannon bridge around 8pm and a full scale search and rescue operation was quickly enacted.

The local Marine Search and Rescue unit backed up by the Shannon based coastguard helicopter took part in the search, which has resumed again today.

Two men killed in county crash

Two men have been killed following a road accident in county Limerick overnight.

It’s believed the two men, both in their twenties, were travelling in a car which lost control and careered into a wall on the main Hospital to Limerick road at around 2am.

Gardai from Bruff are investigating the accident. The victims have yet to be named.

NEW DETAILS
The victims have been named as 22 year old John Swords and 21 year old Oliver Kearney from Hospital, Co Limerick.

Dell workers react over severance package - Banta workers warned

As the news sinks in around Limerick tonight of the major job cuts at Dell, loyal and hard working employees of the company are reacting angrily in particular to the redundancy package which is being offered, with many believing it is not a sufficient package for years and years of service.

“Each employee will receive 6 weeks wages for every year of service, but the maximum allowable is 52 weeks.

Maximum settlements of between 18,500 euro and 25,000 euro will be paid to anyone who worked 8 years or more.”

It has been reported through-out the day that redundancy package is based on a basic Dell salary and doesn’t include shift work and overtime.

Speaking on RTE news tonight Sean Corkery, Dell’s vice-president of operations in Europe, said consultations are still underway in regards the redundancy packages.

Banta workers told their jobs are on the line.

Workers at a company that works hand in hand with Dell in the Raheen Industrial Estate have been told today that their jobs are on the line.

Workers at Banta Global Turnkey were reportedly given the news just hours after Dell announced its job cuts

One Banta employee told national broadcaster TV3,
“We just heard that we were going as well, because of Dell but it will take a couple of months to go. There are different lines going because of Dell.”

Banta, known as RR Donnelly, has yet to make any official comment on the matter.

Corkery says Raheen plant was no longer competitive

“The hardest thing I have ever had to do” - Corkery

Dell’s vice-president of operations in Europe, Sean Corkery, has told local radio station Live95FM this afternoon of how EMEA manufacturing and its cost structure in Limerick was no longer competitive for Dell,

“It was basically a decision that was based on our strategy to restructure the company around cost and so it became apparent to us that our cost structure within EMEA manufacturing here in Ireland was not competitive, so we now have an opportunity to move into the lower cost centre of Poland."

Asked if he knew of how many more jobs would be affected by todays decision, Corkery said he wasn’t sure but said speculation in the area of 15,000 jobs was a “Grossly exaggerated” figure.

“It’s a much smaller number than that. We would put it probably more or less at 1,500 directly involved that support us every day”

He also described the redundancy package, 4 weeks from Dell along with the 2 weeks given by the state for every year worked as “very competitive”

Finally he was asked what it was like to tell thousands of people their jobs would be gone by 2010, he replied,

“It was very difficult, the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Im in this industry 27 years and I wouldn’t like to go through that again”

Dell Quits Limerick - Reaction

"The anger inside there is unbelievable"

A Limerick worker at the Dell plant in Raheen has told the media of how Sean Corkery, vice-president of Dell operations in Europe was 'savaged' by angry workers as he broke the news of the decision by the company to axe 1,900 jobs at the Raheen plant.

36 year old Mike Killeen told reporters outside the Dell assembly line that Mr. Corkery "was savaged inside — and rightly so."

“We will do what ever we have to do”

The words of Limerick TD and Minister for Defence and Willie O’ Dea as he tried sheepishly to defend the Government handling of the Dell situation following its decision to axe 1,900 jobs from its Limerick base.

Speaking to local radio this morning, O’Dea said it is now a government priority to re-educate and re-skill workers that have lost their jobs this morning.

Labour TD for Limerick Jan O`Sullivan followed

"When the knock-on impact on supplier companies is taken into account, the total job losses will run to many thousand and the economic cost through loss of spending power is almost incalculable, This is a black day for Limerick.

However, Limerick has recovered from economic blows in the past and I have no doubt that, with the political will and the appropriate supports, we can recover from these losses also."

Fine Gael TD Michael Noonan said he was concerned about many Dell workers with large mortgages to pay,

"The Government must immediately declare Limerick an unemployment emergency area. It must instruct the State's job creation agencies to give absolute priority for new jobs to Limerick and it must immediately instruct the relevant State agencies to provide the retraining necessary so that Dell workers who need to improve their skills are provided with the facilities to do so.

Many young Dell workers have very large mortgages and their mortgages must be protected by the Government. To lose one's job is a tragedy; to lose one's house as well would be an absolute disaster.”

Meanwhile, the Limerick Leader newspaper is reporting that Irish MEP Kathy Sinnott offered to meet with Dell on ‘several occasions’ last year however Dell refused.

“As far back as last summer, I contacted the directors in Dell and asked them to meet with me and see how best we could save these vital jobs. They were unresponsive."

A Statement from Mr. Ned Gleeson, Limerick County Manager,

"My immediate thoughts are with the workers and their families following this devastating jobs announcement.

Limerick County Council will work with all other agencies in the region to ensure that the welfare of these workers is protected.

The Council also supports the establishment of a concerted and collaborative effort to ensure that the competitiveness of other businesses and the wider region is not damaged by this announcement.

I would like to point out that Dell's announcement should not be regarded as a reflection on the quality of its workforce or the operating environment in Limerick."

Dell to cease all production at Limerick plant - 1,900 jobs to be lost

“The entire city is devastated by the loss of these jobs” - Mayor

Computer manufacturer Dell has confirmed that 1,900 jobs are to be lost at the Raheen plant in Limerick.

Managers at Raheen told its employees at this morning meetings that 1,900 of them would lose their jobs between April 2009 and January 2010.

Limerick Mayor John Gilligan told local radio this morning following the announcement that 5,000 to 6,000 people are facing the dole following this news,

“I regret the way Dell treated Limerick this morning, this is huge”, he said

Complete Dell Statement

Dell will migrate all production of computer systems for customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) from Limerick to its Polish facility and third-party manufacturing partners over the next year.

The manufacturing migration will be completed in a phased transition during 2009 and is among a series of steps Dell is taking to simplify operations, improve productivity, reduce costs and deliver even higher levels of customer satisfaction. The move is part of a $3 billion cost-reduction initiative the company announced last year and is being made as a result of an ongoing comprehensive review of Dell’s global supply chain.

“We are proud of our 18-year tenure as a major manufacturer in Ireland,” said Sean Corkery, vice president of operations, EMEA. “This is a difficult decision, but the right one for Dell to become even more competitive, and deliver greater value to customers in the region.”

Dell expects to reduce its Limerick manufacturing workforce by about 1,900 employees over the next 12 months. The initial release of employees will occur in April, with the full transition expected to be completed by January 2010. Affected workers will receive a competitive severance package and career outplacement assistance as they transition from the company.

“We will treat affected employees with dignity and respect and offer them every practical support through this extended transition period to minimize the impact on them,” said Mr. Corkery. “We appreciate the support from the Irish government and the people of Limerick over these many years.”

Dell’s employees in Limerick will continue to coordinate EMEA manufacturing, logistics and supply chain activities across a range of functions including product development, engineering, procurement and logistics. The company’s Global Innovation Solutions Center and EMEA Command Center will remain in Limerick. Dell continues its significant sales, marketing and support activities in Cherrywood, Dublin.

Statement from Limerick Mayor John Gilligan:

“I really sympathise with them today, Dell employees in Raheen were exemplary and a credit to their employer and to Limerick City, There was never any industrial action and their productivity levels were world class.

In very many cases given the type of shift work that the workers did, their job took precedence over everything including family life. The entire city is devastated by the loss of these jobs and what this means for the greater Mid West region.

The attitude which the company displayed to its workers, with many having to hear details of potential job losses through the media and the rumour mill was unfair.

When plans for re-structuring were taking place, Dell should have spoken to the Government and local people to see what could be done.

It seems that the decision was made first and after that, it was only a question of when the bad news would be delivered.”

Dell Limerick announcement “imminent” reports say

An announcement form Dell is expected imminently according to reports.

The computer giant is due to decide the fate of 2,000 of its workers at the Raheen facility with workers at the plant anxiously facing the threat of redundancy.

As the decision nears, Limerick TD Willie O'Dea confirmed to a national newspaper that he was raising the issue at the first Government cabinet meeting of the New Year,

Mr O'Dea admitted there has been little communication between the Government and Dell's senior management in recent days.

"The information flow has literally stopped at the moment so we just have to wait and see. We will no doubt find out tomorrow or over the next day or two," Mr O'Dea said.

Tánaiste and Enterprise Minister Mary Coughlan is currently out of the country. However, Mr O'Dea said there may be contact with her later today.
Via Independent

It has been long feared now that 2,000 of the 3,000 workers at the Raheen plant will be laid off as part of the company’s global restructuring plans which include a move of its manufacturing facility to its new location in Lodz, Poland.

Reports say senior management of Dell’s Irish operations have already “been briefed in preparation for the announcement” and that the 2,000 layoffs will be spaced out over the next 12 months.

NewsWire is monitoring the situation as speculation mounts of an announcement to be made in the next 48 hours.

NEW DETAILS
The Limerick Leader reported tonight that a meeting will take place at 9am Thursday morning at the Raheen plant, where CEO Michael Dell will address the staff via video link.

“Dell has not officially confirmed that such a meeting will take place but it is understood that details of the meeting were conveyed to staff in an email this Wednesday evening.

According to sources at the company its founder and CEO, Michael Dell, will adress the staff via a video link from the United States.”
Via Limerick Leader

One arrested following serious incident in Limerick City

A man has been arrested following a serious incident in which a man was stabbed a number of times in Limerick City.

The incident is believed to have happened near the Pennywell Road / Johnsgate area of the city this afternoon around 1pm. Gardai have arrested one man in relation to the attack and he is being questioned ay Henry Street Garda Station.

The victim’s injuries are not said to be life threatening although no further details were available.

Gardai probe petrol bomb attack

Gardai in Limerick are investigating an apparent petrol bomb attack on a car on Friday night.

Gardai say car which was parked in the driveway of a house at Island View Terrace on the north side of the city, was set on fire around 8pm. The car was destroyed and a house was badly damaged in the attack.

Gardai at Mayorstone station are searching for a motive for the attack.