Family Carers asked to put their life story on the line

Family Carers throughout Ireland are being invited to put pen to paper and compose a poem as part of Caring for Carers Ireland’s annual nationwide poetry competition.

High Profile Speakers Confirmed For National Tourism Conference

Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny, Aer Arann chairman Mr Padraig O Ceidigh and F.A.I. Technical Director Packie Bonner will join tourism interests from across the island of Ireland at the National Tourism Conference, details of which were announced today.

The Clare Tourist Council - in conjunction with Clare County Council – will host the 22nd annual conference at The Falls Hotel, Ennistymon, County Clare, from 25-27 November.

The annual event will be attended by hundreds of tourism industry officials and members of Local Authorities, County Enterprise Boards, partnerships, and all public and private bodies involved in the promotion of tourism on the island of Ireland.

This year’s conference, entitled “Achieving World Class Tourism”, also will see some of Ireland’s leading tourism operators pledge their support for the Cliffs of Moher’s bid to be named one of the ‘New7Wonders of Nature’. The iconic County Clare landmark was shortlisted in July 2009, along with 27 other sites, from over 440 participants representing over 220 countries.

Speakers scheduled to address the conference include: Aer Arann chairman Mr Padraig O Ceidigh (The Importance of Access); Gerard Dollard, Director of Services Clare Co Council and Ennis Town Manager (Raising the Bar – The Role of local Authorities); Geraldine McGahey, Chief Executive, Larne Borough Council (Learning from the advantages of networking: The Pathway to Success); Samantha Williams, Cantata Project Coordinator, Denbighshire County Council (Developing an authentic tourism experience); and Bodil Alver Moen, Lillehammer Kommune, Norway (World Class Tourism: The Importance of Exchange Programmes, from Inside and Outside the E.U.).

The Football Association of Ireland (F.A.I.) will also be represented at the conference as it prepares to hold its own annual conference in County Clare next summer. Former goalkeeping international and current F.A.I. Technical Director Packie Bonner will address conference delegates on the issue of “Football in Clare: The Key to Success”, while F.A.I. delegate from Clare Jim Madden will speak about the importance of networking within clubs.

Commenting on the upcoming conference, Mr. Flan Garvey of the Clare Tourist Council said: “The interest shown in this year’s event indicates the very real commitment among all tourism agencies and operators to participate in a unified approach to addressing common issues facing the sector. Tourism has been hit badly by the downturn in the economy and it can only survive and prosper if operators in the sector exchange ideas and collaborate.”

Mr. Garvey noted that the conference has in previous years attracted tourism representatives from all over Ireland to Ennistymon to share their views on the best way forward for the sector.

“For over two decades this event has promoted the benefits of adopting a collaborative approach to developing tourism on the island of Ireland. The Clare Tourist Council is committed to engaging with tourism providers and promotional agencies throughout the island in reinforcing the country’s status as a domestic and international tourist destination alike. All political parties, including Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party, will also be participating in the event in the best interests of developing tourism”, he added.

Next month’s three-day conference will include the presentation of the Clare Tourist Council Tidy Towns Awards, sponsored by Fitzpatrick’s Supervalu Supermarket in Ennistymon, along with a site visit by delegates to the nearby Cliffs of Moher.

The Clare Tourist Council hosted its first national tourism conference, entitled ‘The Tourism Explosion - Implications for Ireland’, in 1989. Subsequent conferences have addressed a wide range of tourism issues like ‘Tourism for the ’90s’, ‘Tourism & the Environment’, ‘Let Tourism work for You’, ‘Keeping up with Changing Times’, ‘The Role Played by Local Authorities in Tourism’, ‘Positioning Tourism - Quality or Price”, “Promoting Co-operative Tourism Marketing”, and ‘‘Promoting Partnership In Tourism: 21 Years Of Progress”.

The Big Freeze Set To Return To Ireland

All indications are that Ireland is set to see a return of bitterly cold conditions from the colder continent early next week.

Daytime temperatures are likely to be in low single figures by midweek and will struggle to rise much above freezing during daylight hours by the end of next week. Present indications are that the cold spell will last for at least five days before the Atlantic restores milder weather over the country.


Local authorities throughout Ireland will be keeping a close eye on the weather situation over the coming days and will be hoping to avoid a prolonged wintry spell that will put further pressure on salt and gritting stocks. Snow is likely at times but sharp to severe frosts can be expected.

Northern Ireland Confirms Three More Swine Flu Deaths

Northern Ireland's Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has said he is terribly saddened to hear of the three latest swine flu related deaths in the region.

A second child from a school in Derry has died after contracting swine flu. Five Foyleview (left) pupils have now contracted swine flu, reports RTE News.

A 62-year-old man has also died in a hospital in the North. He was confirmed as having swine flu but it was not the cause of death. A third patient with swine flu and other complex health issues has also died in hospital.

TYRONE - Clady Village Closed Off Due To Bomb Scare

Police say that a security alert is continuing near Strabane, Co Tyrone.

The village of Clady (left) is effectively closed off following the discovery of a suspicious vehicle in the area last night reports RTE.

Roads into the village are closed and diversions are in place.

Poundland To Create 200 Jobs

More than 200 jobs are to be created across Northern Ireland with the arrival of a discount retailer which sells everything for £1.

Poundland announced today it will open six stores in Northern Ireland by Christmas, creating a total of 210 jobs reports RTE. The first store will open in the CastleCourt shopping centre on Belfast's Royal Avenue on 8 October.

Meanwhile, Asda announced it will create 400 temporary jobs in Northern Ireland to help cope with the Christmas shopping rush.

EU Agriculture Ministers Seek Improvements For Dairy Market

Junior Agriculture Minister and Clare T.D., Mr. Tony Killeen has backed calls by fifteen EU Member States for major improvements in support for hard-pressed dairy farmers.

The call was made at a meeting of the EU council of Agriculture Ministers in Brussels this week. The 15 Ministers agreed that additional rapid action at EU level was required to deal with the critical situation on European milk markets driven by the global economic crisis.

According to Minister of State Killeen: “The group called for a comprehensive EU approach combining immediate short-term measures along with a medium term strategy to deal with volatility in the milk sector. I am especially heartened by the strong support from so many Member States for effective action on these issues. It is critically important for these countries to continue to work closely together to ensure that this leads to real and immediate action leading to the recovery in the EU milk market and realistic prices for farmers.”

He continued: “Among the measures being called for is a temporary increase in the intervention price, and careful management of the disposal of intervention stocks; increased export refunds for butter, milk powder and cheese, while avoiding any distortions in developing country markets; the reactivation of aid for use of milk powder in animal feed; and consideration of measures to modernise and adapt the dairy sector.”

Minister of State Killeen welcomed the sense of urgency among Ministers to redress the increasing divergence between prices paid to farmers and those charged to consumers. “Ministers overwhelmingly supported recommendations from a high-level group to examine the balance in relationships between retailers, processors and producers and to improve the transparency of price formation at every stage in the food chain”, concluded Minister Killeen.

Electric and plumbing firm creates 70 jobs

A Tyrone-based company that provides plumbing and electrical services has announced plans to create 70 jobs in the Leinster region in the coming years.

O'Kane Plumbing and Electrics said the positions will be created during the next three years. It says it plans to upskill prospective employees to ensure full familiarity with the renewable energy sector.

Internet users warned about Revenue scam

Revenue today warned Internet users of a bogus email that lures people into sending personal financial information.

The scam first popped up in March with fraudsters contacting their victims claiming they are owed a tax refund and asking for credit or debit card details and date of birth, reports breakingnews.ie. “The email appears to have issued again today,” a spokeswoman said. “This email did not issue from Revenue. The Revenue Commissioners never send emails which require customers to send personal information via email or pop-up windows.”

Revenue asked anyone who receives a suspicious email to forward it to webmaster@revenue.ie.

(Click on above image to view the bogus email received today by Irish County News)

Minister Killeen Welcomes Pledge Of Support For Undocumented Irish

Minister of State Tony Killeen T.D. has warmly welcomed a pledge by a Congressional Delegation to support the case of the undocumented Irish in the United States.

The Chairman of the “Friends of Ireland,” Congressman Richie Neal, today offered the group’s support to the case of the undocumented and pledged to further assist efforts to foster economic relations between the US and Ireland. Mr Neal made his comments during bi-lateral talks between the Friends of Ireland Congressional Delegation and an Irish Parliamentary delegation.

According to Minister of State Killeen: “The status of the undocumented Irish remains an issue of the highest priority for me and one that I have raised at Government level both in Ireland and the US on numerous occasions. Indeed, I have previously met with Congressman Neal in Washington and am delighted that he has again offered to support the case of the thousands of undocumented Irish.” The County Clare Deputy added: “Many Irish people have settled in the USA but, unable to return home, they have been separated from their families and their homes for many years. I am particularly pleased that the Friends of Ireland Congressional Delegation have pledged their support to this important issue. The group’s commitment to advance the case of undocumented is very important and much appreciated".

This week’s bi-lateral talks centred on the case of the undocumented Irish in the US, the Northern Ireland Peace Agreement, Ireland-US relations, International Fund for Ireland and the World Financial Crisis. Commenting during his visit to Ireland, Congressman Neal said: “The need for a strong relationship between Ireland and the US is now more important than ever. The Friends of Ireland Congressional Group has a long tradition of cultivating and supporting links between Ireland and the US, and during our meetings with the Ceann Comhairle, Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Party Leaders we have undertaken to continue this support. We have also agreed to advance the case of the thousands of undocumented Irish in the US. Many of these people have made lives for themselves in America and contribute positively to the communities they live in. We feel a way must be found to accommodate the needs of this group of people.”

The Friends of Ireland is a group of United States Congressmen, which promotes Irish interests in the US Houses of Representatives and helps to foster trade and cultural links between Ireland and the US.

19th NI swine flu case is confirmed

Another case of swine flu has been confirmed in Northern Ireland.

The latest case, the 19th, is a man who recently returned from London. He has been given anti-virals and is recovering at home.

18th Swine Flu case confirmed in NI

Another case of swine flu was confirmed in Northern Ireland today.

The latest case, the 18th in the province, is a woman who was in contact with a previously confirmed case within the province rather than someone who had picked it up abroad, according to breakingnews.ie. The Department of Health and Social Services in Belfast said there were another 10 potential cases under investigation in the region.

Two more swine flu cases confirmed in NI

Two more cases of swine flu were confirmed in Northern Ireland today.

It brings the total diagnosed in the region to 17, according to breakingnews.ie. One of the new cases is a man who has recently returned from Mexico. The other is woman just back from the the USA.

Both are recovering at home, according to the Department of Health. Five other suspected cases are still under investigation.

Undersea telecommunications cable makes land at Portrush

The €30m ‘Project Kelvin’ fibre cable that will link Ireland to 24,000km of undersea cable linking Ireland with the US, Canada and UK came ashore at Portrush yesterday.

The fibre project, supported by €30m in public funding, was brought ashore by Hibernia Atlantic, parent company of Magnet Networks. The telecommunications cable will be connected by high capacity fibre to Letterkenny, Monaghan, Castleblayney, Dundalk and Drogheda, and it will also have points of presence in several locations across the border, reports Silicon Republic.

‘Project Kelvin’ is is a joint cooperation project between the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Belfast and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, which is part financed by the EU under the North-South cross-border cooperation programme.

Derry Manager rings in the changes

Derry manager Damien Cassidy has been forced to name a rejigged side for Sunday's clash with Tyrone at Casement Park tomorrow.

Defender Kevin McCloy is replaced by Sean Marty Lockhart, with the former All-Star one of three changes from the team which beat Monaghan. The suspended Fergal Doherty and the injured James Kielt are the other players to lose out, reports breakingnews.ie. Eoghan Brown and St Mary's Banagher clubman Mark Lynch come into the side, with Lynch expected to slot in, in Kielt's position, but Barry McGoldrick and Joe Diver are named as the midfield pairing.

DERRY (Ulster SFC v Tyrone): B Gillis; K McGuckin, SM Lockhart, G O'Kane; C McKaigue, B McGuigan, SL McGoldrick; B McGoldrick, J Diver; E Brown, P Murphy, E Lynn; E Bradley, P Bradley, M Lynch.

14th Swine Flu case for Northern Ireland

A 14th case of swine flu has been confirmed in Northern Ireland.

The latest case is believed to be in a female who recently returned from the USA.

She has mild flu symptoms and is recovering at home.

Dooher to start on bench for Tyrone

Brian Dooher will have to settle for a place on the bench when All-Ireland champions Tryone take on Derry this weekend.

Despite overcoming a groin injury, the Tyrone captain has not been named in the starting line-up for Sunday’s clash at Casement Park, reports The Irish Times. Dooher was sprung from the bench against Armagh and will expect to play some part against Derry but manager Mickey Harte has named an unchanged side for the Ulster semi-final.

Derry are due to announce their side tomorrow evening.

Huge increase in NI unemployment rate

Unemployment in Northern Ireland showed another upward leap today and the the number of people claiming benefits is now over double what it was 15 months ago.

The number of people unemployed was 49,000 for the three-month period to the end of February, up 3,000 over the quarter and 16,000 over the year, reports breakingnews.ie.

The rate of unemployment has now hit 6.2% - 0.5% up on the quarter and 2.1% up on a year ago.

Another swine flu case confirmed in Northern Ireland

Members of the public in Northern Ireland were urged not to get alarmed today after another case of swine flu was confirmed.

The total number of confirmed cases in the North is now nine, and another six possible cases are under investigation. Breakingnews.ie reports that the latest case relates to travel outside the UK and does not involve a school, workplace or other setting in the North, the Public Health Agency (PHA) said.

The sufferer has mild symptoms and is at home and taking antiviral treatment.

NI teenagers treated for drink and drugs

More than 400 under-18s are treated for alcoholism and drug addiction in the North each year, it was revealed today.

The majority of the teenagers receiving hospital care have a drink problem, according to the North's Department of Health, reports breakingnews.ie.

Meanwhile, police caught 1,200 under age drinkers in the region last year, the youngest being only ten. In those operations 24,000 items of alcohol were seized.