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One taken to hospital following river rescue

One person has been rescued from the river Shannon by emergency services this evening.

Two fire service units, Gardai and the Marine Search and Rescue were all called to an area close to Thomond Bridge around 6.45pm following reports of a person in the river.

A fire service spokesperson told the Limerick NewsWire the casualty was removed form the river a short time after and taken to the Mid Western Regional Hospital.

The victims condition was not known.

Flextronics workers to hear their fate

Meetings between staff and management are underway at Flextronics in Raheen this afternoon as an announcement on the fate of workers is to be made.

Close to 140 people are expected to be let go in the coming months at the company which provides logistical operations for companies including Dell, implements its restructuring plans. The company also makes cables for Dell.

It’s expected a general staff meeting will be held around 2pm today where an announcement could be made. SIPTU officials have already been negotiating redundancy packages with management.

118 jobs were lost at the plant last November. The company is just one of many who were devastated by the news that Dell is cutting its manufacturing operations here in favour of a move to Poland.

NEW DETAILS
A SIPTU official said today the company is phasing out the jobs beginning in May and will be completed by the end of the year, possibly around September.

Heroin seized at house in O‘Malley Park

Gardai at Roxboro have made their second drug seizure this week, this time in Southill.

Drugs officers carried out searches of derelict houses in O’Malley Park around 11am this morning where they recovered around €18,000 worth of heroin. Nobody has been arrested in relation to the discovery.

A Garda spokesperson told local radio the find is “significant” due to the “nature and quantity” of the drug recovered.

It comes on the heels of Mondays recovery of amphetamine and heroin with a value of nearly €250,000 in Rathbane.

Shots fired in tribute at Collopy funeral

The funeral of Philip Collopy takes place this morning in Limerick under the watchful eye of armed Regional Support Gardai.

Last night the body of the 29 year old, who had shot himself by accident at his home over the weekend was taken to St Mary’s Church in a horse drawn carriage.

His body was dressed in army camouflage and his coffin draped in an Irish flag. One report states he was wearing a bullet proof vest.

At least 12 shots were fired from the back of the Island Field in tribute to the known gang member as his cortage travelled through the area on the way to the church.

There has been a heavy Gardai presence in the Island Field area this week as extended family congregated at the family home.

Burial takes place in Castle-mungret cemetery this morning.

NEW DETAILS


City Centre traffic was brought to a halt around midday Wednesday as the cortage made it’s long and winding way through Limerick City to castle-mungret. Patrick Street, O Connell Street Shannon Street were all shut down for a time.

White doves and pigeons were released by mourners at the grave site.

One arrested in Rathbane drugs raid

Gardai have arrested one person following a drug seizure in the city Monday.

A male in his late teens was arrested in the planned operation at a house in Elm Place, Rathbane around 7pm.

Gardai at Roxboro say amphetamine with an estimated street value of €113,000 and heroin with an estimated street value of €130,000 was found during the search.

The arrested man is currently being held at Roxboro Road Garda Station under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act.

Two charged over Vysochan murder

Two men have appeared in court today charged with the murder of teenager in the city last May.

20 year old John O'Loughlin with an address at Cecil Street along with a 17 year old male teenager who cannot be named, appeared in court today charged with the murder of Roman Vysochan. They were remanded in custody to appear again on Thursday. Both were granted free legal aid.

16 year old Ukrainian national Roman Vysochan was stabbed to death during an altercation at the Carraig Midhe Housing estate in Corbally on May 10th 2008. Another teenager was badly injured in the incident.

The two were arrested by Gardai overnight following instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions

Roman Vysochan , known to his many friends as Ruben, was a 5th year student at St. Munchins College in Corbally at the time of his death.

Man dies in hospital following accidental shooting

A gangland figure who accidentally shot himself in the head on Friday night has died in hospital.

29 year old Philip Collopy accidentally shot himself as he was showing off his Glock semi automatic handgun to people at his house in St. Mary’s Park.

He had brought the Glock pistol to a house party and while joking around with friends erroneously thought there was no bullets in the gun when he pulled the trigger.

He remained on life support following the incident and it’s understood he died around 9pm last night.

Mr. Collopy had numerous previous convictions including assault. He was jailed for two years for feud related violent disorder in 2003.

Gardai say they are treating the death as accidental and are not seeking anybody else in relation to the incident.

Motorcyclist dies in late night crash

A 37 year old motorcyclist has died following a crash in Lisnagry overnight

It’s understood the man was thrown from the bike after he collided with a curb on the road at Garraun in Lisnagry around 1.15am.

Emergency services responded to the scene and the man was taken to the Regional Hospital however he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Technical examinations of the scene have been carried out and the road has fully reopened.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact Gardaí at Castleconnell on 061 377105.

NEW DETAILS
The victim has been named locally as Mike O’Connell of Clyduff, Lisnagry.