An Asian restaurant manager and his Irish wife have survived a "living hell" that has driven them from their home, stated the Leinster Leader. The family has been told to "leave or die" by racist neighbours.
Aftab Ahmad, from Pakistan, and his wife Freada, from Dublin, opened the Tandoori Empire at Brownstown on the Curragh just over a year ago. Following a year of daily harassment, "their nerves are shattered" and they are on sleeping tablets prescribed by their doctor because "constant persecution" has been disturbing their sleep.
"They come over from the pub and piss on the doors, even when they come in to get food they abuse and curse us," said Mr Ahmad. "One time people even threw custard all over the windows. They broke all the lights out the front. It's going on nearly a year and every single day something happens."
Racist incidents have been increasing in Kildare over the past six months, reported the Leader.
"People power" will decide the course of action on asylum-seekers in Macroom, reported the Corkman. A referendum to decide whether the town will take action against the Department of Justice will be held this week. Local people are being asked to vote by the Concerned Citizens of Macroom for two options: legally opposing the Government's plans to accommodate 10 asylum-seeking families in a local hotel or "accepting the plans and striking the best deal possible".
A "Ballymun-type ghetto" has been unanimously rejected by Kilkenny County Council despite a recommendation by the county manager, reported the Munster Ex- press. The proposed private housing development, which would overlook Waterford City from Ferrybank, was described as a "concrete jungle" that would devalue existing property in the area.
Westport Chamber of Commerce wants more extensive zoning of land for residential development than that proposed in the draft development plan of Westport Urban District Council. The chamber disagrees with the UDC's plan for one main housing development in Cloonmonad towards the quay. The chamber believes a series of small communities in different areas, all with their own distinct identities, would work best for Westport.
Mullingar is developing so fast that Tidy Towns judges have warned all those responsible for the environment have a responsibility to "ensure developments are appropriate and sensitive and that amenity development keeps pace with the growing population."
The Limerick Leader reported that the cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, Mr Kevin Sheahan, has "slammed his fellow councillors, accusing them of putting obstacles in the way of people building houses in their home areas".
Planning permission refusals in Killorglin, Co Kerry, have provoked a row between Cllr Michael Healy-Rae and county manager Martin Nolan. "The county manager and the colourful Kilgarvan-based councillor have been embroiled in an ongoing war of words over planning permission refusals in the Killorglin electoral area," reported the Kerryman.
"The row reached boiling point" when a record 13 "section 4" motions - requesting the council to overturn previous decisions denying planning permission - appeared on the council meeting's agenda.
Cllr Sheahan wants the county development plan changed to make it easier for people to get planning permission in their own districts.
Commenting on the story, the Westmeath Examiner said: "In towns and villages throughout Ireland the dramatic rise in the numbers of houses and apartments being built has left a trail which spells out the necessity to provide many ancillary services." Gardai in Nenagh have denied a claim by Sinn Fein that people are afraid to walk the streets in parts of the town due to drug problems and antisocial behaviour, reported the Tipperary Star. The Nenagh branch of Sinn Fein expressed concern about "the growing problems of drug dealing and consequent anti-social behaviour".
The Waterford News & Star reported a "real life drama" for a "soap fan" when a runaway tractor demolished part of her house. Helen Power and her family were left homeless when an out-of-control tractor ploughed through the front wall of their house and into their living-room. Helen, a mother of two, felt her house crashing in around her as she watched recorded episodes of Coronation Street at 1.15 a.m. on Monday last.
She told how she heard a loud bang followed by a crash and the chair she was sitting on moved across the floor several feet.