news roundup

Mary "Flash" Gordon

Text Box: Work on the new multi million euro Nenagh-Limerick motorway was brought to a standstill on Tuesday in a blockade by sub-contractors who claim they are owed a total of 4.5 million euro for work done on the route. A sub-contractor from Ballingarry, Roscrea who is involved in the dispute, said that the demonstration was mounted because sub-contractors had run out of patience waiting for payment for up to four months.

Text Box: Forty-one people every week are losing their jobs in North Tipperary according to the latest live register figures, which represents more than five people a day. For Nenagh town, the numbers signing on the dole grew by twenty a week, or just under a three a day for the month of October. In Thurles, the live register's average growth was two extra people a day for the last month, while in Roscrea , it came to six people a week. Those are the figures published by the central statistics office and they show that jobless figures in Nenagh have grown by 71% over the last year.

Text Box: .85% of North Tipp's children are been educated in overcrowded classrooms and that is before the current cuts are fully implemented. This is the situation according to statistics by local Deputy, Noel Coonan, through parliamentary questions, 68% of primary school pupils are in classes of between 20 and 29 while just 15% are in classrooms of 19 or less.

Text Box: Limerick will boast the biggest christmas tree in Ireland this year. The 21' foot high tree will float on the river shannon, close to Bishop's Quay.

Text Box: North Tipp deputy, Michael Lowry has gained assurances from the Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform, Dermot Ahern that fifteen additional staff from the Equality Authority will now transfer to Roscrea. This will bring the staff serving in Roscrea up to thirty. Lowry welcomed the move as an important boost for Roscrea,

Text Box: A decade after their formation, the Newport/Ballinahinch Camogie Club are celebrating their most successful season to date having made a strong presence on the playing fields in 2008 in the junior grade. To the credit of their ability, they have the Linda O' Connor trophy which they won this year and have reached the County Quarter Final in the Championship after coming top in their grouping.

Text Box: Confusion has arisen over the state of the sewerage system serving the town of Newport after it was revealed that the up to-date figures for the current loading of the system are not available. Nevertheless the local authority maintain that the system is 100% compliant, but the official figures and statements on the system used in documentation are showing a wide variation with the conflicting situation, causing increased local concern.

Text Box: A number of well known local musicians will perform in the first of a series of mid-week blues nights at O'Donovan's bar in Ballina this Wednesday night. The 10 piece band led by Brendan O'Connor, will perform a range of mainly 80s blues material.

Text Box: Big thumbs up to Thomond Park, Limerick. This stadium offers so much energy and pride to Limerick, a stark change to the negative publicity we hear all too often. It also plays host to one of the greats, Elton John, who plans to perform here next June, a sell out im sure and well deserved.

Text Box: The three tenors return to Nenagh's Abbey Court Hotel on Friday Nov 21st, following their sell out performance there a year ago. They enthralled a packed audience at the same venue last year. The have an unique show, incorporating humour into a programme that cuts right through the repertoire of such as Elvis, Pavarrotti Frank Sinatra etc.

Text Box: Cllr Pauline Coonanhas described as appaling and sickening the Government's decision not to proceed with the cervical cancer vacination programme. She said that the emphasis should be put on prevention. Cash shortage and the economy are not acceptable reasons to pull the programme. The vacine was to be offered to twelve year old girls in primary schools from next September at an estimated cost of under 10 millio

Text Box: Well folks, the hustle and bustle has begun. With under six weeks to go to Christmas, its time to make out that pressy list once again and write that all important letter to santa children. Once again, let's not forget our elderly at this magic time of the year, it can be also a very lonely time for some people who unfortunately dont have anyone to share it with, so lets not forget our senior citizens.

More bits and bobs next week.
Have a safe week.

Flash...............