Today's other stories in brief
Fire destroys Healy-Rae forestry
Hundreds of acres of vegetation including commercial forestry was burning near Kilgarvan, Co Kerry, last night after a wild fire began in the early afternoon and got out of control. The fire destroyed several acres of five-year-old private forestry belonging to Cllr Michael Healy-Rae.
A number of units of the Fire Services from Sneem, Kenmare and Killarney were called to the blaze at about 12.30pm in a large area of gorse land spanning up to 300 acres. The fire quickly spread to nearby forestry, fanned by winds.
Garda Sgt Denis O’Brien of Kilgarvan said deliberate burning of vegetation in dry, windy conditions was dangerous, and was prohibited between March and the end of August under the Wildlife Acts.
Gardaí are investigating the blaze.
Mr Healy-Rae appeared to have lost about 100 acres of mixed forestry.
Pole to run for FG in Tullamore
A Polish man has been selected by Fine Gael to run as a candidate for Tullamore Town Council in the forthcoming elections.
Tomasc Askuntowicz has been resident in Tullamore, Co Offaly, for several years.
He joins councillors Molly Buckley and Tommy McKeigue, and new candidates Patrick Kelly and Vincent O’Brien, on the Fine Gael ticket.
Cannabis seized at Dublin airport
Officers from Revenue’s Customs Service at Dublin airport yesterday seized some 24kg of herbal cannabis with an estimated street value of €300,000.
The drugs were discovered in the baggage of a 46-year-old French man who had arrived on a flight from South Africa. He will appear in court today.
Spandau Ballet to play Dublin
1980s heart throbs Spandau Ballet are reforming for the first time in 20 years and their first concert will be at the O2 in Dublin on October 13th.
The band made the announcement yesterday on board the HMS Belfast in London, where they started out almost 30 years ago.