A roundup of today's other regional news in brief
Farmers to review new cattle grading system
Farmers will later this week conduct a review of a new grading system for the sale of cattle which was introduced yesterday at meat plants across the State, writes Seán MacConnell.
The new Quality Payment System (QPS) came into effect yesterday. The meat plants said the system will stimulate the production of a greater number of higher quality cattle and will lead to improved market signalling in the producer/ processor relationship.
The Irish Farmers’ Association president, Pádraig Walshe, said the New Quality Payment System for cattle must deliver a worthwhile increase in the price of cattle and bring Irish cattle prices into line with those on our main export markets in the UK and across Europe.
The IFA is to hold an information meeting on December 17th in the Tullamore Court Hotel, Co Offaly.
Man pleads guilty to conspiracy charge
A man has pleaded guilty to conspiring to steal money from a cash van in Kildare two years ago.
Michael Ryan (36), Carton Drive, Poppintree, Ballymun, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to conspiring with others to steal cash from Chubb Ireland outside Tesco in Celbridge, on December 2nd, 2007. Judge Katherine Delahunt remanded him in custody until next February.
Gardaí find man lying shot on road
A man was shot while trying to run away from a house in Wexford early yesterday morning. The incident occurred at 3am just outside the village of Kilmuckridge.
Gardaí called to the scene discovered a man lying on the road with a gunshot wound to his leg. The man was taken to Wexford General Hospital.
Another man was arrested at 5am and brought to Enniscorthy Garda station.
‘A to Z of Cork’ details historical characters and events from witchcraft to executions
Topics from Cork's history including famous characters and strange events are detailed in a new book called An A to Z of Corkwhich was launched yesterday. Written by Tom Fitzgerald, who previously published a book detailing the history of his native Youghal, events listed include the "resurrection" of Patrick Redmond, hanged in 1766 but revived by surgeon-turned- actor William Glover, who was among the spectators at a public execution at Gallows Green.
It also includes an occasion in 1661 when Florence Newton was tried for witchcraft in Cork. There is also an account of Cork woman Mary Harris who became known as “the most dangerous woman in America” for her work as a political activist and her campaign to abolish child labour in the 1900s.
Official denies house building caused flood
A senior local authority official yesterday denied suggestions that house building around the Ennis area during the boom years contributed to recent flooding in the town.
Responding to claims by councillors that construction of houses on flood plains contributed to the flooding, senior engineer with Clare County Council Tom Tiernan said if any of the housing development had not proceeded over the past 20 years in Ennis “it would not have reduced the impact of the recent flood event”.
At a special meeting yesterday to deal with the flooding, Clare county manager Tom Coughlan confirmed the cost to the council of dealing with the recent flooding came to €659,000, and a submission had been made to the Department of the Environment on recouping the money before the end of the year.
Mr Coughlan said: “I’m led to believe that there will be a favourable consideration of the submission.”