East Coast News Centre

Almost 50 People A Day Had Their Gas Or Electricity Cut Off Last Year

2012-02-02T14:49:00.000Z

Almost 50 people every day last year had their electricity or gas cut off.

That's according to the latest report from the Commission for Energy Regulation.

The organisation says over 17,700 customers had their electricity and gas disconnected in 2011 - representing a seven per cent increase compared to the previous year.

Egypt's Football Federation Dissolved Following Violence At A Match In Which 74 People Died

2012-02-02T13:48:00.001Z

Egypt's Prime Minister has dissolved the country's football federation following last night's horrific violence in which 74 people died.

In Cairo's parliament, questions have been raised about why police did so little to stop the fighting.

Earlier the Egyptian Government sacked the head of security in Port Said after TV footage showed riot police standing rigidly in rows as chaos ensued around them.

Government Planning To Review Decision To Close Irish Embassy In The Vatican

2012-02-02T13:39:00.001Z

The Transport Minister has confirmed that the Government is planning to review its decision to close the Irish embassy in the Vatican.

The issue was addressed at the Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting last night.

Eamon Gilmore announced the closure of the embassy last year - in his capacity as Foreign Minister - and said the move was made on economic grounds.

Today, Leo Varadkar said the Government may review that decision - but it would depend on the economic circumstances of the country.

Man Dies In Road Crash In Waterford

2012-02-02T13:38:00.001Z

Gardai are appealing for information, following a fatal road crash in Co. Waterford.

A man died when the car in which he was driving, collided with an articulated lorry and then caught fire at Ballyshunnock in Kilmacthomas at ten to three this morning.

The driver of the lorry received only minor injuries in the collision.

The road remains closed this afternoon and diversions are in place.

Central Bank Slashes Ireland's Economic Growth Forecast

2012-02-02T13:32:00.003Z

The Taoiseach says the Government's sticking with medium range growth prospects for the Irish economy.

That's despite the Central Bank slashing its forecast for this year from one-point-eight to just nought-point-five percent.

In its quarterly bulletin the bank also warns that the domestic economy could be held back by weaker external demand for a longer than expected time.

Sean Quinn's Wife And Kids Unaware Loans To The Group Were Drawn Down To Up Anglo's Share Price

2012-02-02T13:31:00.003Z

The Commercial Court has heard the wife and children of businessman Sean Quinn were unaware that multimillion loans to the group were drawn down to prop up Anglo Irish Bank's share price.

The court is dealing with preliminary issues in the family's suit against IBRC in which they're challenging claims they owe the bank 2.3 billion euro.

They deny liability for the loans claiming they were advanced for the illegal objective of manipulating the stock market.

Their lawyers say Anglo was paying to keep the show on the road and was engaged in very serious illegal activity on an ongoing and consistent basis.

Gardai Name Man Killed In Overnight Shooting

2012-02-02T13:31:00.001Z

Gardai have named the man who was shot dead in a pub in Dublin last night.

He was 36 year old Alan McNally from Finglas.

The father of three was shot a number of times in the head at the Cappagh Nua pub in Finglas at around 1 o'clock this morning.

Gardai say he was known to them and had a previous drug conviction and was released from prison last year.

Detectives also believe a second man may have been involved in the shooting and waited outside for the gunman.

He's described as being 5 foot 10 inches in height and of slim build wearing white or grey tracksuit bottoms.

Minister Says Claims Ireland Secured Tailor-Made Treaty As Far Fetched

2012-02-02T10:41:00.001Z

The Minister for Transport says that the European Fiscal Treaty was not framed specifically to avoid a referendum in Ireland.
The Government has been accused of wanting to rush the treaty through - without the approval of the Irish people.
The issue is up before the Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs today, after a group of TDs yesterday announced plans to petition President Higgins to intervene.
Leo Varadkar says the notion that Ireland requested - and got - a tailor-made treaty is far-fetched.

Cold Spell Claims 89 Lives Across Europe

2012-02-02T10:36:00.001Z

Much of Europe remains in the grip of a big freeze - with record-low temperatures claiming the lives of 89 people.
Most of the victims have been in Ukraine, where overnight temperatures dropped as low as minus 33 degrees Celsius.
Russian gas provider Gazprom is warning about the potential impact on supplies to Europe.
Meanwhile drivers in Wicklow surrounding counties are being warned that despite the bright sunshine today, overnight ice and frost will be slow to clear as temperatures remain low and means road conditions will stay dangerous in many parts.

Murder Investigation Launched After Fatal Shooting In Finglas

2012-02-02T08:16:00.001Z

A man's been shot dead in Dublin. The attack happened at a pub in the Finglas area just after one o'clock this morning. The scene has been sealed off for a technical examination.
A man armed with a gun approached the 36 year old victim and shot him a number of times in the head. The victim was taken to James Connolly Memorial hospital in Blanchardstown where he was pronounced dead. The scene of the shooting has been sealed off for a technical examination this morning, and a post mortem is expected to take place on his remains today.

31 Year Old Detained Following Blanchardstown Shooting

2012-02-02T08:14:00.001Z

A 31 year old man is being questioned in connection with a shooting in Dublin yesterday afternoon. A 25 year old man is being treated in hospital, after he was shot in the face in the Blanchardstown area.
Gardaí were called to a house on Whitestown Avenue in Dublin at 1.30 yesterday afternoon, where they discovered a 25-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his face
It's believed that the shooting happened at Whitestown Park.
Gardai arrested a 31 year old man at the house in Whitestown Avenue and he's being detained at Blanchardstown Garda Station.

More Than 70 Dead Following Violence At Egyptian Soccer Match

2012-02-02T08:13:00.002Z

The Egyptian parliament will convene an emergency meeting today, after violence at a soccer match in the city of Port Said killed more than 70 people yesterday.
Around 300 other people were injured when fans invaded the pitch, seconds after the game between Al-Ahly and Al-Masry finished.
Egyptian Islamists are blaming supporters of Former President Hosni Mubarak for the deadly violence.

Age Action Issues Advice To Elderly As Cold Spells Kicks In

2012-02-02T08:12:00.004Z

Wicklow residents are being advised to wrap up well - as the country is comes under the grip of a severe cold snap.
Temperatures will continue to dip below freezing over the next few days according to Met Eireann, with the possibility of sleet and snow.
The charity representing the elderly, Age Action, is advising older people in particular to keep warm in their homes, over the coming days.

Age Action Issues Advice To Elderly As Cold Spells Kicks In

2012-02-02T08:12:00.003Z

Quinn Family Challenge Legal Action Taken By Former Anglo Irish Bank

2012-02-02T08:10:00.001Z

Preliminary issues in a legal action brought by Sean Quinn's family against the former Anglo Irish Bank will be heard by the Commercial Court today.
The court will be concerned with whether the family can argue that loans they received were in breach of company law and other regulations.
Sean Quinn's wife, Patricia, and their five children are challenging claims by IBRC, formerly Anglo, that they owe 2.3 billion euro.
They deny liability for the loans claiming they were advanced for the illegal objective of manipulating the stock market to prop up the bank's share price.
This is refuted by the bank and over the next 3 days IBRC hopes to narrow down the key issues in contention in a preliminary hearing before Mr Justice Peter Charlton. The bank's lawyers say a full hearing could last months and cost millions.

Oireachtas Committee To Discuss Proposed E.U.Treaty

2012-02-02T08:08:00.001Z

The new European inter-governmental treaty is to come before an Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs today. There'll be cross-party discussion on the agreement - which 25 of the member states signed up to on Monday night.
Yesterday a group of TDs said they plan to petition the President to get him to force the government to hold a referendum on the treaty.
Meanwhile the government is still insisting that it's awaiting legal advice from the Attorney General, after media reports that the Treaty had been specifically designed to minimise the need to go to the Irish people for a decision.

219 Rescued After Ferry Sinks Off Paupa New Guinea Coast

2012-02-02T08:07:00.002Z

Rescuers have rescued 219 survivors from the sea off Papua New Guinea's east coast after a ferry sank. Many more passengers are missing.
There were more than 300 people on board the MV Rabaul Queen when the accident occurred.

Receiver Appointed To Burlington Hotel

2012-02-01T19:27:00.000Z

A receiver has been appointed to the Burlington Hotel in Dublin, the Cork International Hotel and the Parknasilla Hotel in Co. Kerry.

The group is owned by property developer Bernard McNamara.

In a statement this evening, receiver Paul McCann said he intends to continue trading at each of the hotels.

All staff will continue to work for the receiver and all deposits and prepayments from customers will be honoured.

Aughrim School Are Finalists In World Aid Awards

2012-02-01T19:26:00.000Z

Students from a school in county Wicklow have been short-listed as finalist in the National World Aid Awards.

The pupils from the Sacred Heart National School in Aughrim are among eleven finalists chosen from across the country, in a competition which saw over 9,000 students from 450 schools submit entries.

On the 21st of February all of the the finalists will be presented with an award of excellence at a special ceremony in Dublin Castle, when an outright winner will also be announced.

Dublin Bus Says No Changes To Wicklow Bus Routes Before Public Consultation

2012-02-01T19:23:00.001Z

Dublin Bus has allayed fears that it was preparing to implement cuts to bus routes in North Wicklow and given a commitment not to implement any cuts to the 45 or 84 bus routes until it carries out a consultation with the general public.

Sinn Fein had claimed the changes, which they said were coming into force on the 12 of this month, would see the 84 route terminate at Blackrock DART station, with no service to U.C.D. while the 45 bus route will be abolished altogether.

Kildare Man Jailed For Aiding Tiger Kidnappers

2012-02-01T17:24:00.000Z

A Kildare man has been jailed for four years for hiding €30,000 for a gang of tiger kidnappers.

31 year old Raymond Rea of Ryebrdge Close, Kilcock was the first person prosecuted under the Criminal Justice Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act 2010, which passed into law two years ago.

On September 1st, 2010 a gang kidnapped a National Irish Bank employee and his wife.

They locked the wife in a car boot and drove to Wicklow while the bank employee was made go the branch in Clondalkin and take €270,000 in cash to secure her safe release.

Rea knew one of the raiders and claimed this man approached him after the robbery and asked him to hold onto the cash in return for €4,000.

The court heard the investigation into the robbery is still on-going.

The father-of-two pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to knowingly handling the proceeds of crime and was sentenced to four years.

Boyfriend Of Body Bag Woman Found Dead In Britain

2012-02-01T17:23:00.001Z

A man being sought by Gardai in connection with the death of a young woman , who's body was left inside a holdall on a Dublin street last weekend, has been found dead in Southeast England.

Gardai have confirmed they are liasing with Kent police after the discovery of a man's body.

Foul play is not suspected.

26-year-old Rudo Mawere's remains were found in a travel bag on Dublin's northside on Sunday, but she's thought to have been killed on Saturday.

It's understood the dead man was African, and had been in a relationship with her.

Punchestown Festival Netted 58 Million For Irish Economy in 2011

2012-02-01T13:42:00.000Z

The 2011 Punchestown National Hunt Festival generated 58 million euro for the Irish economy.

25 million of that was spent by visitors on accommodation, food and entertainment in Kildare.

That's according to a study carried out by NUI Maynooth.

95,000 people attended the festival last year, 20,000 of them were overseas visitors.

Gardaí Told Not To Show Deference To Catholic Church Members

2012-02-01T13:41:00.000Z

The Garda Inspectorate has recommended that steps be taken to ensure that Gardai no longer show undue deference to members of the Catholic Church when dealing with cases of child sexual abuse.

The head of the Garda Inspectorate Kathleen O'Toole has today published 29 recommendations to improve the way Gardai deal with child sexual crime.

The report was commissioned after two reports into clerical abuse in Dublin and Cloyne.

Rachel Weisz Advert Banned In Britain

2012-02-01T13:37:00.001Z

In Britain, A L'Oreal advert featuring a digitally retouched photo of actress Rachel Weisz has been banned.

The Advertising Standards Authority says the image was altered to change her complexion, making it appear smoother.

The ASA thinks the ad "misleadingly exaggerated" the performance of the face cream.