A round-up of today's other regional news in brief.
Garda inquiry into shooting dead of dog
Gardaí are investigating a complaint that a miniature Yorkshire terrier dog, a family pet, was killed after being shot by an air gun pellet in the Roscommon village of Ballinlough on Monday afternoon.
The incident happened outside the home of the dog’s owner, Chris Zadziorski, in Carraghs, Ballinlough.
The vet who examined her said that she had been shot at relatively close range. Her assailant was no more than 100 yards away from her.
Gardaí in Castlerea are investigating.
Man beaten in drug-related feud
Gardaí have appealed for the public’s assistance after a man was dragged into a car, threatened with a gun and seriously beaten as part of a drug-related feud between two rival gangs.
The man was abducted from the Athy Road, Carlow town between 2am and 3am last Friday.
Gardaí believe the incident is connected with a number of recent shootings in Carlow town and is linked to a feud between two local gangs who are involved in the drugs trade.
“Three men are in custody in relation to these ongoing feuds and a file is being prepared for the DPP,” said Sgt Benny Mills of Carlow Garda station. “We appeal to anyone who has any information on these matters to contact gardaí at Carlow.”
Man for trial on murder charge
A Galway man has been sent forward to the Central Criminal Court to face trial for the murder of a teenager in Co Galway before Christmas.
Pat Doherty (45), Clooncon West, Glenamaddy, appeared before Tuam District Court yesterday charged with the murder of Francis Fahy (19), O’Keeffe Park, Glenamaddy, on December 15th.
Mr Doherty is also charged with assaulting Gerard Costello of Creggs Road with intent to cause harm on the same date. He has been remanded in custody.
Judge Browne remanded Mr Doherty in custody and ordered that counsel be appointed to represent him.
Council to name levy renegers
Galway City Council has pledged to name developers who have reneged on development levies as part of new building schemes, writes Lorna Siggins.
Up to €2 million in development levies has been overdue since 2007 and the city council is taking legal action over €1.26 million of this which has not been paid.
Local authority members were told this week that “phased pay agreements” had also been put in place to recoup an additional €916,159 owed.
In 2007, almost half of some €9 million due in levies was written off, as a number of approved building schemes did not proceed, the council said.
Development levies, a condition of planning permission, are used by local authorities as part of planning legislation to fund or co-fund infrastructure.
Galway city manager Joe McGrath has undertaken to name developers who are being pursued through district court legal action.