Offaly Independent | News | Roundup Headlines

Edenderry and Birr Courthouse closures imminent

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:13:00 +0100

The end is nigh for district court sittings in Edenderry and Birr, with proceedings at both courthouses likely to be transferred to Tullamore in the coming months.

Clip of ducklings suckling Clara cat viewed by more than 15,000

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:14:00 +0100

Clara cats are certainly one of a kind. A two minute clip uploaded to YouTube yesterday (Thursday) shows a mother cat in the Offaly town breastfeeding her own kittens along with three adopted orphaned ducklings.

Leave Edenderry a legacy - Leddin

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:29:00 +0100

Money made available to Edenderry Town Council for special projects, which could total €20,000 by the time of the council’s proposed abolition next year, should be used to leave a legacy for the people of Edenderry.

Tullamore traffic disruptions to end today

Thu, 23 May 2013 09:45:00 +0100

Traffic disruptions in Tullamore caused by works at the Church Road roundabout are to end today (Thursday).

VIDEO: Teaser for new RTE documentary on the Shannon

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:34:00 +0100

Stunning, atmospheric, awe-inspiring! Check out this short teaser for new nature documentary on the mighty Shannon

Crafty Offalian selling money for more than its current value on eBay

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:46:00 +0100

If you weren't sure how crafty Offaly people are, this should give you an idea!

Birr and Tullamore societies in running for total of 10 AIMS Awards

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:15:00 +0100

Birr Stage Guild has been nominated for a total of eight awards in this year’s Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS)/HB Awards.

FF launches "Streets Ahead"

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:32:00 +0100

A new commercial rates system including a surcharge for out of town centres, flexible parking charge systems and the abolition of upward only rent reviews form the backbone of a new Fianna Fail policy document – “Streets Ahead” - launched today (Friday) that sets out a vision for the future of Irish towns.

Skydive Ireland "forced out" says MD

Thu, 16 May 2013 14:49:00 +0100

Skydives will not be offered at Birr Airfield this year as a result of Skydive Ireland being “forced out”, its MD said this week.

Last year as part of the company’s charity jump programme in Birr €320,000 was raised for good causes. This year that figure will be zero, while Birr will also lose out on visitor numbers provided by the organisation.

Speaking at Birr Town Council this week Independent councillor John Carroll called for council support for any initiative that would “assist in resolving the impasse” that led to Skydive Ireland transferring its Birr business to Galway.

New term is "balancing act" - Cowen

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:52:00 +0100

Offaly TD Barry Cowen has said this week he is extremely concerned that parents are facing a very difficult balancing act for the new school year with education costs up five per cent in the past year, on top of the cut to the back-to-school allowance.

Public office reopens at Eden Garda Station

Wed, 15 May 2013 14:16:00 +0100

Edenderry garda station’s new public office opened to the public last Monday (May 13) and the remainder of works at the building are due to be completed by June 21.

Tullamore part of Dublin Midlands hospital group

Tue, 14 May 2013 18:24:00 +0100

The Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore has been grouped with its counterpart in Portlaoise as well as Naas General Hospital and St James’s, The Coombe and Tallaght hospitals in Dublin to form the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group.

Dubai jail term for Tullamore man

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:23:00 +0100

Twenty-eight year old Conor McRedmond, the Tullamore man convicted of having sex with 30 year old Rebecca Blake from Surrey in the back of a taxi in Dubai on May 4 last year, must go to prison after losing his appeal to the highest court in the UAE.

Birr Tourist Office to remain open

Mon, 13 May 2013 17:23:00 +0100

Birr Tourist Office is to remain open this year, the Offaly Independent has learned. In a statement today (Monday) Fine Gael's Marcella Corcoran Kennedy said she has obtained clarification that both Offaly County Council and Failter Ireland are to work together to devise a plan to ensure the office will remain open next year in addition.

Midland couple pick up Lotto winnings

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:19:00 +0100

A midlands couple got the week off to the perfect start today by picking up their €500,000 Lotto winnings.

Cowen fears for local post offices

Mon, 13 May 2013 10:19:00 +0100

Offaly TD Barry Cowen has expressed serious concern about the threat to local post offices, following reports that hundreds of them may soon be forced to close their doors.

Fiona Pender supporters leave council meeting disappointed

Thu, 09 May 2013 19:42:00 +0100

A new canal bridge in Tullamore will not be named after Fiona Pender. An amended motion that the council "consult with the Pender family to put in place a suitable memorial to remember Fiona" was voted in with just two dissenting voices at a Tullamore Town Council meeting this evening (Thursday).

Tullamore College team named junior winner at SEAI "One Good Idea" final

Tue, 07 May 2013 18:38:00 +0100

A team from Tullamore College has been named junior winners of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s (SEAI) search for “One Good Idea” with their project “Rhythm in Rubbish”, which demonstrated that energy can be saved by making musical instruments out of recycled items found in the home, school and local businesses.

Kildare and Leighlin Bishop named

Tue, 07 May 2013 12:40:00 +0100

Pope Francis has appointed the Very Reverend Denis Nulty as Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, it has been revealed today (Tuesday, May 7).

Moneygall to host Obama family once more?

Fri, 03 May 2013 13:21:00 +0100

Hopes are high Moneygall might once more play host to the Obama family. Reports today suggest that the First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama and her two daughters will visit Ireland when American President Barack Obama visits Northern Ireland for the G8 Summit

Competition for Offaly radio service

Thu, 02 May 2013 16:08:00 +0100

The contract for Offaly’s local radio service will go to a competitive licensing process after an expression of interest in the service from Midlands Broadcasting Company was deemed to be in good faith by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), it was announced today (Thursday).

Competition for Westmeath radio service

Thu, 02 May 2013 16:04:00 +0100

The contract for Westmeath’s local radio service will go to a competitive licensing process after an expression of interest in the service from Midlands Broadcasting Company was deemed to be in good faith by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), it was announced today (Thursday).

Shooting incident in Edenderry

Thu, 02 May 2013 12:19:00 +0100

A shooting incident has occured this morning (Thursday) in the townland of Shean, Edenderry. Gardaí in Tullamore are investigating the incide

SOSAD to open Tullamore office

Wed, 01 May 2013 11:00:00 +0100

SOSAD, the charity that gives help and support to anyone affected by suicide or depression, is to open a new branch in Tullamore.

SOSAD services will be delivered from offices and counselling rooms in Bow House on Tullamore’s O’Moore Street.

An open day and recruitment drive will be held at the premises on Thursday (tomorrow) from 2pm to 8pm and another will be held on Friday from 10am to 2pm for anyone interested in helping out or getting more information.

Four arrests in Tullamore as part of "Operation Fiacla"

Wed, 01 May 2013 09:59:00 +0100

Four men have been arrested by Gardaí in Tullamore as part of "Operation Fiacla", an ongoing nationwide Garda operation targeting organised criminal groups involved in burglary.