A round-up of today's other regional news in brief
GP proposal for Killarney care centre in doubt
Plans by Killarney doctors for a large primary-care centre, which had been vigorously opposed by the town's pharmacists, are in serious doubt.
Misgivings surfaced after it emerged the doctors’ group had not tendered for the health board land earmarked for the project. Plans for the building had been agreed with the HSE and there had been agreement with the National Roads Authority on infrastructure off the main N22 to the grounds of St Finan’s psychiatric hospital.
Killarney Town Council granted permission in October, but refused the pharmacy on the grounds it would have constituted retail and would have needed a new zoning.
The GPs did not appeal to An Bord Pleanála, withdrawing the proposal in February.
Last month the doctors sought a declaration from the council for a pharmacy element, but this was refused by the council again on the same grounds.
Chinese ambassador visits Kilkenny city
The Chinese ambassador to Ireland, Liu Biwei, was presented with an economic and business profile of Kilkenny city and county during a visit to the area yesterday.
Mr Liu was welcomed by chairman of Kilkenny Co Council Tomás Breathnach and Mayor of Kilkenny Pat Crotty at the start of his visit marking 30 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and China.
Prisoner escorted by five officers
Five prison officers, three of them wearing special protective gear, accompanied a prisoner to court who last week hospitalised three officers.
At Ennis courthouse last Thursday, Daniel Darcy (30), while in handcuffs, assaulted the three in the foyer while being transferred to the courthouse holding cell.
The three injured prison officers were transferred to Ennis General Hospital’s A&E to be treated for their injuries and a control and restraint unit was despatched from Limerick to bring Darcy back to prison.
Darcy, of Tannery Wharf, Rathangan, Co Kildare, was yesterday appearing in court in relation to a charge arising from an alleged assault in Shannon on June 13th last.
Darcy’s solicitor told the court that his client had been assessed by the Central Mental Hospital and he asked that the assessment be lodged to court.
Judge Joseph Mangan further remanded Darcy in custody and ordered that he reappear before Ennis District Court on May 27th.