A round-up of today's other regional news in brief
Park plan for former dump in Wexford
An innovative 30-acre town park is planned for the site of a former dump in Co Wexford.
The park, to be located on the outskirts of Wexford town, will feature sculptures, quirky maze areas and a skateboard park, all set amid wildlife. It will be one of the only former landfill sites in the country to be converted into parkland, and will be similar in design to St Stephen’s Green.
Botanist and landscape designer Ted Walsh, who spent six months finalising the preliminary plan for the park, said a 12.8 acre landfill site (the former town dump) in Carcur has been set aside, one-third of which will be used as an active park.
Stabbing trial continues
The trial of a Tipperary man accused of murdering his “best mate” continued in legal argument in the absence of the jury.
John Paul Buck (29) of Heywood Close, Clonmel has pleaded not guilty to stabbing Fergus Roche (30) to death at a house in the same estate in the early hours of October 1st, 2005. He also denied setting fire to the boarded-up house.
The trial at the Central Criminal Court will continue today before Mr Justice George Bermingham and a jury of six men and six women.
Baths plan on Valentia refused
An organic cafe owner said he will not give up on his plans for the development of seaweed baths on the edge of the Atlantic at Valentia Island, but will try again as soon as there is an upturn in the economy, writes Anne Lucey.
Paul Duff of the Lighthouse cafe on Valentia has been refused permission by Kerry County Council to roof old stone sheds and convert them to seaweed bath houses.
The baths were considered over-development and concerns were also raised by An Taisce.
Mr Duff will not appeal the decision but has decided to “wait for the upturn”.