A roundup of today's other regional news in brief
Garda seeks information on bank raid
Gardaí last night appealed for information on two cars that were used in a raid on the Bank of Ireland in Dunleer, Co Louth.
Two men, one armed with what may have been a handgun, went into the rear of the building just after 4pm. They drove to the back of the building in a wine- coloured Toyota Carina E car.
They threatened staff before escaping with an undisclosed amount of cash.
The two ran out the front of the building and got into a red Audi estate, driven by another gang member.
They left Dunleer in the direction of Clogherhead. The Audi was found burned out at nearby Dillonstown. A Garda spokesman said no shots were fired and nobody was injured.
Anyone who saw either vehicle, which may have been parked in the area before the raid, is asked to contact Drogheda or Dunleer Garda stations.
Man charged with attacking wife
A Cork man has been remanded on bail after he was charged with attacking his wife with a baseball bat at their home in Cork city yesterday morning.
Paul Morris (49) was brought before Cork District Court yesterday where he was charged with assault causing harm to Theresa Morris at Coolgarten Park, Glasheen Road, Cork.
Judge Con O’Leary remanded Mr Morris on his own cash bail to appear in court on Monday but made it a condition of his bail that he reside more than 16km (10 miles) from Cork city.
He also made it a condition of bail that he sign on three times a week at his nearest 24-hour Garda station and that he have no contact with his wife.
Altan singer to get top Donegal award
Altan singer and traditional fiddler Maireád Ní Mhaonaigh yesterday said she had been awarded “the biggest honour ever” after she was named 2009 Donegal Person of the Year.
The 47-year-old said she was especially delighted with the acclamation coming in the year of Altan’s 25th anniversary.
She added: “It is just the crowning glory. It’s the icing on the cake.” The native Irish speaker, who lives in Gweedore, will collect her award at a dinner hosted by the Donegal Association in Dublin on February 28th.
Previous winners include singer, Daniel O’Donnell, former World Cup goalkeeper, Packie Bonner, and former Granada TV boss Sir Gerry Robinson.