A Garda initiative aimed at reducing attacks on the elderly in the west came into force yesterday. Codenamed "Operation Cosantoir", it involves armed checkpoints on bridges across the Shannon.
Last year a stronger Garda presence reduced the number of raids on the homes of elderly people, while also cutting the number of untaxed cars.
Longford man on assault chargeAt a special sitting of Tullamore District Court yesterday, Mr Richard Keating (24), Templemichael Terrace, Longford, was charged with unlawfully assaulting Mr Christopher Farrell on Sunday morning. A second charge alleged that the accused man was in possession of a sharply pointed knife on the same occasion.
Remanding him in custody to Ballymahon Court, sitting in Longford next Friday, Judge Aidan O'Donnell recommended that he receive treatment for drug addiction while in custody.