East Coast News Centre

Gilmore Says Further Steps Needed In Syria

2012-05-30T16:46:00.000+01:00

The bodies of 13 people with their hands tied behind their backs have been discovered in eastern Syria today.

They were found in the Assukar area and UN observers say there are also signs that some had been shot in the head at close range.

Major-General Robert Mood, who is leading the mission, says he's deeply disturbed by what he calls the "appalling and inexcusable act".

Meanwhile, the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore says that Western powers must take further steps to end the bloodshed and introduce tougher sanctions on the Assad regime.

Delay In Freedom Of Information Act Restoration

2012-05-30T16:09:00.000+01:00

The Information Commissioner says some public bodies are pushing back against inclusion under the Freedom of Information Act.

Emily O'Reilly's annual report shows there were more than 16,500 FOI requests last year - an increase of 8 per cent on 2010.

She's also raising concerns over the Government's delay in restoring the original 1997 FOI Act - which was changed in 2003.

The Information Commissioner says she wants the legislation in place this year - to cover all State agencies including NAMA

Met Eireann Weather Statistics For Past 30 Years

2012-05-30T15:26:00.001+01:00

Temperatures in Ireland have risen by half a degree - and rainfall has increased by five per cent.

Met Eireann has released new weather statistics for the last 30 years.

They show that the wettest part of the country is the West - and one of the driest is Dublin.

The average temperature around the country is between 9 and 10 degrees.

However, Met Eireann says the figures aren't necessarily evidence of climate change because Ireland has a naturally variable climate - especially when it comes to rain.

Bray Summerfest Will Launch Tomorrow

2012-05-30T15:24:00.001+01:00

The launch of Ireland’s largest free festival, the Bray Summerfest takes place at the Martello Hotel, on Bray seafront tomorrow evening.

This year the Bray Summerfest will run from the 6th of July to the 6th August taking in five themed weekends, the festival will also see the return of the spectacular Airshow on 22nd July.

Former Miss World Rosanna Davison will officially launch this year’s Summerfest tomorrow night, which the organizers say will coincide with the full details of events being posted onto their social media networks on Twitter @braysummerfest or braysummerfest page on facebook.

Live Register Climbs By Almost Three Thousand

2012-05-30T11:29:00.000+01:00

The number of people signing on rose in May.
New CSO figures show there were 432-thousand-907 people claiming jobseekers allowance this month. That's an increase of 2-thousand-906 people compared to April.

Sinn Fein T.D. Loses High Court Challenge Against Referendum Commission

2012-05-30T11:27:00.002+01:00

Pearse Doherty has lost a High Court challenge against the Referendum Commission ahead of tomorrow's vote.
The court has rejected claims that the Commission made conflicting or erroneous statements about the government's ability to veto the ESM.

Eight Detained In Major Cross Border Operation

2012-05-30T07:57:00.001+01:00

Eight people have been arrested following a major operation by Gardai and Police in Northern Ireland, investigating cross border organised prostitution.
Over 200 members of the Gardaí were involved in "Operation Quest" which took place in various locations, north and south of the border.
The operation commenced at mid-day yesterday, with the search of over 100 premises. A large amount of documentation, cash, mobile phones and computers were also seized during the searches.

European Commission Rejects Spanish Request On Banks Bailout

2012-05-30T07:53:00.002+01:00

The European Commission says that there is no legal provision in the ESM to lend money directly to banks without going through a State bailout.
As news about the major recapitalisation of Spanish banks emerged, Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy brought forward proposals for banks to receive funding from the ESM, without tying the State to the debt.
The proposal was welcomed in Ireland, but spokesperson for Economic Affairs at the European Commission Amadeu Altafaj says there is no legal provision to access EU funds without going through the sovereign state

Wicklow/East Carlow Constituency Prepares For Referendum Vote

2012-05-30T07:51:00.003+01:00

Final preparations are being put in place in the Wicklow –East Carlow Constituency, for tomorrow’s vote on the Fiscal Treaty Referendum.
There are 202 polling stations in the Wicklow East Carlow constituency, which will open their doors tomorrow Morning at seven o’clock and stay open until 10 o’clock tomorrow night.
Voters are being reminded to bring their polling cards, however anyone who may not have received one, can check if they are eligible to cast a vote with the county council.
In Wicklow Counting of the votes will get underway at the Shoreline centre in Greystones at 9 o’clock on Friday morning. However unlike the local and General elections, the final results will not be announced at the local counting centres around the country, but will be forwarded to Dublin, where they will be totalled and a final national result will be announced.

High Court To Rule On Challenge To Referendum Commission Statement

2012-05-30T07:49:00.001+01:00

A High Court ruling on a challenge by Sinn Fein's Pearse Doherty to the Referendum Commission will be handed down this morning on the eve of the ballot.
The Donegal TD wants clarification on comments by the Commission's chairperson made earlier this month in relation to Ireland's veto of the ESM.
Pearse Doherty's lawyers say the Referendum Commission has issued contradictory statements on the issue but some have got more publicity than others and this has inadvertently benefitted the Yes campaign. However In its submissions the commission reject out of hand that any statement has favoured the yes side.

Teenage Girl Injured After Sand Dune Incident

2012-05-30T07:48:00.001+01:00

A teenage girl remains in a serious condition in hospital this morning, after a sand dune collapsed on her yesterday afternoon.
The incident happened on the back beach of the Maharees, in West Kerry.
Gardai say the girl, who's 19 and from Cork, was with a group of friends on the beach, when the sand dune collapsed. Efforts were made to get her out, and an ambulance was called. She was taken to Kerry General Hospital for treatment.

One Man Remains In Custody In Connection With Kilkenny Murder

2012-05-30T07:38:00.001+01:00

A man remains in Garda custody this morning in connection with the murder of a 51 year old woman in Co. Kilkenny last Friday. Gardaí in Thomastown investigating the killing of Siobhan Stapleton arrested a man in his 30s yesterday.
The mother of five was found with serious injuries at her home at Glebe Lodge, Kilfane last Friday afternoon. She died while being transferred to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin

Search Continues For People Trapped In Italian Earthquake

2012-05-30T07:37:00.001+01:00

The search for survivors is continuing in Italy after a powerful earthquake struck the north of the country. At least 17 people are dead and 14-thousand others are homeless.
A 65-year-old woman has been rescued after spending 12 hours in the rubble of her home in Cavezzo - but it's feared many more people could still be trapped.

KFC Advert Receives Highest Number Of Complaints Ever

2012-05-30T07:28:00.002+01:00

A Kentucky Fried Chicken advert featuring call centre workers singing with their mouths full is the most complained-about UK campaign of all time.
The British Advertising Standards Authority there says the 2005 ad drew a record 1-thousand 671 complaints. The majority objected that it could encourage bad manners among children.

Wicklow Man Believed Dead In London Road Accident

2012-05-29T19:18:00.002+01:00

A man killed in a London road accident last month is believed to have come from Wicklow. British authorities have issued an appeal to find the family of Barry Roger Spencer Southgate. The 64-year-old who also used the surname O'Reilly, is thought to have been born in the Garden County. He was hit by a car whilst walking on the Kingsbury Road on the 11th of April. Anyone with information is being asked to contact the Missing Persons Unit at Barnet Police Station – on 004420 8733 5146 or 00 44300 123 1212 and quote 12FOU003289.

Last Day Of Campaigning Before Voters Go To Polls For Referendum

2012-05-29T18:53:00.000+01:00

Both sides in the debate on the Fiscal Treaty Referendum have made their final pitch to voters before a broadcast media blackout comes into force tomorrow afternoon. And it's been a day of trading insults with some in the YES and NO campaigns, accusing others of telling lies. Meanwhile, Sinn Féin has launched a last-minute High Court challenge against comments made by the Referendum Commission, that Ireland s chance to veto the European Stability Mechanism has already passed. The Referendum Commission says that comments made by its chairman were not fully reported by the media - leading to a possible misrepresentation of his statement. But Sinn Fein's Pearse Doherty is challenging what he says is the Commission s assertion that the opportunity for a veto on the European Stability Mechanism was now gone. The case will be heard at 8 o'clock tonight.

Kilruddery Farmers' Market Expects Record Crowds

2012-05-29T18:48:00.001+01:00

With the fine weather set to continue over the coming weekend the organisers of Wicklow’s biggest farmers’ market are expecting record numbers. The Kilruddery market, on the grounds of the Kilruddery estate in Bray, is a showcase for local craft and artisan producers. It takes place on the first Saturday of each month and the stall holders have created all their own produce.

Wicklow Parents To Have Their Say On Disability Services

2012-05-29T18:26:00.001+01:00

The parents of children living with disabilities in County Wicklow are being given the chance to have their say on plans to restructure support services. The Government intends to reorganise disability assistance throughout the country over the next year to ensure a fairer distribution of resources. Lorraine Dempsey, Chairperson of Wicklow’s Special Needs Parents Association, says the first step is to map existing services. An East Wicklow meting will take place this Thursday evening at 7:30 at Aras Lucan on Castlepark Road in Arklow.

Health Minister Concerned By High Number Of Irish Teens Travelling For Abortions

2012-05-29T18:23:00.002+01:00

The Health Minister says he's greatly concerned that 148 girls aged under 17 travelled to the UK for abortions last year. The figures - published today by the British Department of Health - show that 36 of that number were under 16 years of age. The report shows that more than 4,100 women gave Irish addresses in abortion clinics in England and Wales in 2011. Dr James Reilly - speaking at an event to mark National Sexual Health awareness week - says young people need to be better educated:

Police Quizzed In Michaela Murder Trial

2012-05-29T18:20:00.001+01:00

The trial of two men charged with the murder of Michaela McAreavey has been hearing evidence from police officers who investigated the case. Two hotel workers deny killing the 29 year old while she was on honeymoon in Mauritius in January of 2011. Today's witnesses have been asked about the statements given to them by a hotel cleaner who was initially a suspect but is now being billed as a 'star witness' for the prosecution.

Body Found In Wexford Not Suspicious Say Gardaí

2012-05-29T15:52:00.002+01:00

Gardai are not treating as suspicious, the death of man who’s remains were found in New Ross in County Wexford yesterday. Gardai were alerted by neighbours at the Charlton Hill estate who hadn't seen the man for some time. Officers discovered his remains after they forced open his front door yesterday afternoon. It's thought his body may have been there for a number of weeks,

Study Shows One Third Think Tight Bras Cause Cancer

2012-05-29T15:51:00.002+01:00

One third of women wrongly believe that wearing a tight bra causes cancer - according to research carried out at University College Cork. It shows that the public is unaware of proven cancer health threats like obesity, alcohol and lifestyle, with 5 per cent believing nothing can be done to prevent cancer if they have a family history of the disease. 48 per cent of people think a blow to the breast could cause cancer, while 92 per cent think stress is a factor - despite scientific evidence showing it is not.

Dublin Father Faces Trial Over Break-In At Justice Minister's House

2012-05-29T15:49:00.000+01:00

A 25-year-old Dublin man is being sent forward for trial over a break-in at the Justice Minister's house on Dublin's south side. Father of one, Darragh Heavey of Moeran Road, Walkinstown is to be tried on indictment at the next sittings of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He was charged following a burglary at Minister Alan Shatter's house, at Delbrook Manor, in Ballinteer and is accused of trespassing with intent to steal two watches of unknown value on March 18th last. Today the 25 year old's solicitor Lawrence Baxter informed the court that the book of evidence was ready to be served.

Britain Among Countries To Expel Syrian Ambassadors

2012-05-29T15:45:00.000+01:00

Britain has expelled the Syrian charge d'affairs after Friday's massacre in Houla which claimed the lives of more than 100 people - a third of them children. France, Australia, Canada, Germany and Spain have also thrown out Syrian officials this morning. It comes as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights today said most of the victims of the massacre in Houla were summarily executed. The UNHCR said less than 20 of the 108 killings can be attributed to artillery and tank fire. British Foreign Secretary William Hague says they are expelling a number of Syrian diplomats:

New Group To Promote Bouncy Castle Safety

2012-05-29T15:38:00.001+01:00

A new group which represents Bouncy Castle hirers in Ireland is officially launching today. The Irish Inflatable Hirers Federation formed over a year ago, with the aim of raising safety standards in the trade.