A mother of six and leading child health campaigner was killed on Monday when her car skidded off a road in Co Kilkenny. Her four-year-old son Bobby survived the accident, writes Sean Keane.
Ms Susan Maher, The Pines, Kilmanagh, Co Kilkenny, died when the car she was driving struck a ditch along the main Kilkenny-Callan road.
Ms Maher, who was originally from England, achieved national prominence when she led a campaign to have seriously ill Irish children treated in England.
As secretary of the Children's Heart Care Action Group, she was instrumental in getting treatment in London for a number of children who had been on waiting lists here for up to two years.
Ms Maher is survived by her husband Michael, daughters Katie, Lucy, Anne and Susan, and sons Jeffrey and Bobby.
Bobby was strapped into the car seat in the back, and was lifted to safety after the accident.
The boy was suffering from hypothermia and was treated at St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny.
He was kept overnight and was released into the care of his father and his extended family yesterday morning.
Gardaí are still investigating the accident. It is understood that no other vehicle was involved.
Road crash victim in critical condition
A 24-year-old Kilkenny man is in a critical condition after being hit by a car in Sydney, Australia, at the weekend.
Mr Richard Walsh, The Glynn, Tullogher, Co Kilkenny, is on a life-support machine following the road accident early on Saturday evening.
He was hit by a car while crossing the road near his accommodation in Sydney.
His family flew to Australia on Monday morning to be at his bedside.
Mr Walsh is a member of the senior Tullogher-Rosbercon hurling team. He was part of the Kilkenny hurling minor team in 1996 and won a Leinster medal.
Investigation into mystery odour
Clare County Council was yesterday continuing its investigations into a mystery smell that has caused concern to communities in Clare and Limerick.
Both Clare and Limerick county councils have received numerous calls from the public complaining about the continuing odour.
The smell was first detected around Shannon town on November 14th and has spread to other towns and villages since.
The two councils have also received complaints from the public in the Limerick, Ennis and Newmarket areas.
Yesterday, staff members from Clare council's environment section were continuing their efforts to identify the source of the smell. The Environmental Protection Agency has also been called in to provide help.
Council staff have carried out examinations of several companies' activities in the Shannon area, however that has failed to produce any answers.
The council's director of the environment, Mr David Timlin, said yesterday: "The odours appear to coincide with tidal movements in the estuary and may be associated with disturbance of mudflats."
Mr Timlin added: "Based on observations of the odour, the source is likely to relate to biological activity and carries no risk to human heath."
Adare Manor is voted best resort
The Adare Manor Hotel in Co Limerick has been voted the top resort in Europe by a leading travel magazine, writes Brian McLaughlin.
Almost 30,000 readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine gave Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort the number one spot and Dromoland Castle in Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co Clare, was runner-up. Sheen Falls Lodge in Kenmare, Co Kerry and Ashford Castle in Cong, Co Mayo, finished in the top 10.
Adare Manor is owned by millionaire US financier Mr Tom Kane and his wife Judy and the complex has 180 employees. It boasts an equestrian centre, spa, fishing facilities and an 18-hole championship golf course.