In short

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Mayo-born nun killed in car crash in US to be buried in Kiltimagh

The funeral of a Co Mayo-born nun, Sr Mary Campbell (75), who was well liked and respected within the Hollywood film community, will take place in Kiltimagh, Co Mayo today.

Hollywood stars, including her close friend, actor Martin Sheen, have paid their respects to the veteran nun of the St Louis Order. Sheen spoke at a service in California prior to the removal of the remains to Ireland.

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Contrary to indications at the weekend, he will not be travelling to today’s funeral but has sent his condolences. Sr Mary, who was originally from Kiltimagh, died instantly in a crash in Malibu, California, last week. She was a passenger in a car driven by the US ambassador to Malta, Doug Kmaic.

Flash flooding in Co Fermanagh

Clearing up was continuing yesterday after heavy rains caused flash flooding in parts of Co Fermanagh on Tuesday.

A number of farms and a small number of homes were flooded after three inches of rain fell in 36 hours bursting the banks of the Colebrooke river near Lisnaskea. Up to 30 properties, including the Mullynascarthy caravan park, were damaged. Last year several parts of Co Fermanagh suffered flooding.

Gardaí hailed for rescuing mother

Two community gardaí have been hailed as heroes after rescuing a young mother and two toddlers trapped in a burning house in Wexford.

Garda Neil Murphy and Garda Michael Murphy saved Natasha Gordon, her daughter Rebecca (2) and her nephew James (3).

The two gardaí smashed the front door of the house in Elm Park, Coolcotts, and battled thick smoke to reach them.

Forum on Irish language in Britain

A conference in Oxford next Saturday will examine reasons for the growth of the Irish language among young people in Britain.

Under the heading Gaeilge na Breataine, the event at the Salesian College in Elmthorpe Cowley will attract academics, Irish Government officials and members of the clergy.

Guests will include Liam Ó Cuinneagáin of Udárás na Gaeltachta as well as speakers from the Royal Hibernian Academy.

England-based school teacher Christy Evans will talk about the rise in informal Irish language groups in Britain. He will also call for “official” support of the language in British schools.

“The rise of Irish amongst schoolchildren in Britain cannot be ignored anymore,” he said.

Dublin native Lorretta Plunkett, who lives in Oxford and established Ciorcal Comhrá in the city, says the growth in the language is probably due to migration reasons.