A round-up of today's regional news stories in brief
45 new jobs in three years at Cork firm
A Cork-based company is to create 45 high-end engineering jobs over the next two or three years after signing a new €8 million contract with Siemens Sweden.
Minister for Trade and Commerce Billy Kelleher yesterday oversaw the signing of the contract between Siemens, a leader in industrial gas turbine manufacturing, and PAS Technologies Ireland.
Located at Carrigtwohill, Co Cork, PAS Technologies specialises in the repair, refurbishment and remanufacture of components of gas turbine engines used in the utilities and power generation sectors.
PAS Technologies was established in June 2007 following the purchase of part of Sifco Turbine Components (Sifco Ireland) by PAS Holdco.
The company currently employs 75 people.
Owner to expand unlicensed bar
The Donegal pensioner acquitted this week after he had been prosecuted for running an unlicensed bar says he is planning to expand his private facility.
Patsy Brogan, whose 60-sq m garden-shed bar is in the Bluestack Mountains, said yesterday: “I’m going to build an extension to the bar. I’ll have outdoor tables in a special area where people can sit outside in the bog on a nice summer’s day.
“It’s known as the Bog Hotel so what better place to drink in than out in the bog. People are coming from all parts of the world. They love it. They adore it.”
The county council’s attempt to have the bar closed down was unsuccessful when Judge Kevin Kilrane found there was no evidence he charged for drink in it.
Mr Brogan said yesterday many people brought in their own drink. There was also a jar into which guests occasionally placed tips.
Waterford to hold medieval food festival
A medieval theme has been selected for Waterford’s third food festival, which takes place in the county from April 16th to 18th.
Spit-roasting suckling pig in the market square in Dungarvan, demonstrations of traditional brewing and food trails for edible foods in Colligan Wood and for seaweed on Clonea strand are among the centuries-old activities that will feature, side by side with local produce available from Waterford food producers and chefs.
During the festival, a range of “foodie” events will be held including demonstrations by some of the country’s top chefs, including Dungarvans Paul Flynn, Neven Maguire, Derry Clarke and Catherine Fulvio and local chefs Eunice Power, Louise Clarke, Conor Foran and Shane McGrath.
Special festival food menus, in keeping with the medieval theme, are on offer in local restaurants and there are food-tasting trails over the weekend.
Player banned
A former All-Star was yesterday banned from driving for three years having pleaded guilty to drink-driving.
Wexford football star Matty Forde (30) pleaded guilty before Judge William Earley at Gorey District Court and was also fined €200.
Forde, a former GPA Footballer of the Year in 2004, was stopped by Sgt John O’Leary in Knockmullen, Gorey, on February 21st, 2009.
Having been brought back to Gorey Garda station, Forde provided a urine sample. Analysis of this specimen showed a concentration of 215mg of alcohol per 1,100ml of blood.
Gerry Flynn, solicitor for Forde, said his client was a single man with no previous convictions.
Forde is working as a salesman and Mr Flynn requested a postponement until May to allow his client make alternative work arrangements.
Mr Flynn said Forde wanted to apologise to the court. Forde is currently not training with the Wexford senior football team but is playing with his club side, Kilanerin.