Champion's belt stolen from boxer

A world boxing championship belt has been stolen from the home of Belfast fighter Eamonn Magee.

A world boxing championship belt has been stolen from the home of Belfast fighter Eamonn Magee.

A shocked boxer said he would not press charges if it was returned.

Detectives said the World Boxing Union welterweight belt, which is worth tens of thousands of pounds, went missing yesterday following a burglary at Magee's Holmdene Gardens property in the north of the city.

The Ulsterman only returned to the ring in March, 13 months after he was subjected to a gang attack which left him with a punctured lung and horrendous leg injuries.

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Doctors told him he would never fight again, but Magee overcame the odds and won his comeback fight against Denmark's Allan Vester.

'Consulting the consumer' guide

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Dick Roche yesterday introduced Guidelines for Local Authorities on Customer Consultation.

The Minister said: "It is essential that local authorities listen to what customers have to say about the services they provide, about the quality of those services and about the manner in which they are provided."

The Local Government Customer Service Group produced the guidelines.

The group is representative of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, local authorities, the Office of Local Authority Management and the Institute of Public Administration.

The guidelines are designed to complement existing consultative mechanisms such as interaction between elected members and the community.

Participation by the community in consultation processes such as the drawing up of development plans by local authorities will also be targeted.

The Minister called on local authorities to examine the guidelines and consider what best suited their own needs and circumstances.

Mr Roche concluded: "These benefits are at the heart of what the local government modernisation programme is all about.

"It is about ensuring value for money and efficiency in the delivery of services and keeping a strong focus on what the customer wants.

"Consultation with the customer can play an important part in ensuring that these objectives are met."

25 jobs to go at Cork meat firm

A meat factory on the north side of Cork city has closed with the loss of 25 full-time jobs.

McSweeney's bacon curers on Watercourse Road, which has been in business since 1985, shut its doors for the last time on Thursday because of a downturn in business.

Local Labour party councillor Catherine Clancy said the closure of the factory was a huge blow to the Blackpool area.

"It is a traditional business in the area so it is really bad news, particularly as at the moment we are having a regeneration of the area.

"It is important that we retain employment in the village."

Steam train trip to Mullingar

The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland and Iarnród Éireann are running a steam train trip to Mullingar, Co Westmeath, on Saturday, July 23rd.

The train will depart Connolly Station (Amiens Street) at 8.55am and return at 5.30pm.

Fares for adults are €25, OAPs and under-16s €15. Tickets are on sale at Iarnród Éireann booking office, Travel Centre Abbey Street and Pearse Station, Westland Row.

They can also be purchased at EBS offices and at the station on the day.