In Short

A round-up of other regional news in brief

A round-up of other regional news in brief

Father and son die in collision

Residents in the Co Kildare village of Ballitore were deeply shocked by the deaths of a father and son in a multi-car collision, writes Genevieve Carbery.

Two cars, a minibus and a pick-up truck were involved in the crash near Ballitore on the N9 between Kilcullen and Carlow at about 8.30pm on Wednesday.

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Michael Connors (49) and his son Gerry (21) both Millview, Ballitore, were the only occupants of the car which collided with a minibus carrying over a dozen young people travelling back to Carlow after a sporting event. Four of the young people were injured and taken to Naas hospital.

Further south on the road a pick-up truck collided with a car. There were two people in each car who were all taken to Naas hospital. All eight injured people were discharged from hospital after being treated.

Local Fianna Fáil councillor Mark Dalton said there had been a lot of fatalities on the single-lane carriageway and many drivers come quite fast from the motorway. His view was disputed by Garda Supt John Murphy who said on RTÉ radio yesterday.“It is an excellent stretch of road which was upgraded in the last 10 years, there were good driving conditions. There was no problem with the road.”

Cancer transfer deferral welcomed

Campaigners opposed to the transfer of breast cancer services from Sligo General Hospital to Galway yesterday welcomed a “stay of execution” following a meeting between hospital consultants and Prof Tom Keane, director of National Cancer Control.

However a spokeswoman for Prof Keane’s office insisted that there had been no change of policy and that the move would go ahead, although she could not give a date.

Killian McLaughlin of the Save Sligo Cancer Services group said members were now feeling optimistic and were satisfied that the HSE no longer intended to “bulldoze” the move through.

Hopes for revived ferry service

Negotiations are to continue for the purchase of a ship to resume the Cork-Swansea ferry service after a business consortium made what is believed to be the highest bid at an auction yesterday.

The proposed new ferry, The Julia, was not sold at the auction in Finland. However, it is understood that the Cork-Kerry consortium was the highest bidder and hopes are high that a deal will be brokered. The consortium identified the 340-cabin Finnish ferry, capable of carrying 1,400 passengers, as a suitable vessel for the route.