Ciaran Mullooly

Midlands Correspondent

A garden shed in Clonbonny NS yard will be used as an isolation room

Anger as shed to be used as school virus isolation room

Parents and staff at a national school outside Athlone in Co Westmeath have strongly criticised the Department of Education over the back to school preparations.

Education • 26 Aug 20

The outbreaks in four meat factories in Kildare and Offaly have led to around 300 confirmed cases so far

Meat plants hit by virus will not reopen in morning

Three of four meat plants in the midlands which have experienced outbreaks of Covid-19, amounting to around 300 cases in recent days, have said they will not be reopening tomorrow.

Coronavirus • 10 Aug 20

80 workers tested positive at the Kildare Chilling Plant (Pic: Rolling News)

Accurate and early information key to tackling clusters

It has been a traumatic week for the community of Laois, Offaly and Kildare. It began with genuinely deep concerns over the restart of sporting fixtures and the possible spread of Covid-19 in the community.

Analysis and Comment • 08 Aug 20

The Irish Dog Foods plant in Naas, Co Kildare remains closed (Rolling News)

Pet food workers moved out of Direct Provision centres

The Department of Justice and Equality has said that workers at a Co Kildare pet food factory who have tested positive for Covid-19 have now been moved off-site from the Direct Provision Centres they were living in in the midlands.

News • 31 Jul 20

Jack Ryan appeared before the District Court in Tullamore

Man charged over possession of cocaine

A 20-year-old man from Co Laois has appeared in court charged in connection with possession and sale with intent to supply cocaine.

Regional • 27 Jul 20

Bord na Móna said it continues to operate in a challenging business environment

Bord na Móna incurs exceptional costs of over €65m

The suspension of peat harvesting and redundancies linked to the move away from their traditional working practices has led to exceptional costs of over €65m, according to the Bord na Móna annual report published today.

Ireland • 22 Jul 20

The memorial to Detective Garda John Morley and Garda Henry Byrne who were shot dead on 7 July 1980

40th anniversary of Roscommon garda shootings marked

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has paid tribute to members of the force who have lost their lives when putting themselves at extraordinary risk during the exercise of their duty.

Connacht • 07 Jul 20

Cars, caravans, luxury watches seized in CAB operation

More than a dozen cars, along with luxury watches and a caravan have been seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau during searches in Co Longford.

Leinster • 06 Jul 20

Churches and places of worship have reopened under Phase 3 of lifting Covid-19 restrictions

Midlands churches stay closed even as restrictions ease

The administrators of three of the largest churches in the midlands have defended their decision to keep their doors closed to Sunday mass goers this weekend, because they say that restricting the attendance to just 50 people in each building would have "offended" their parishioners.

Leinster • 05 Jul 20

The men appeared at Mullingar District Court

Three charged over attack on homes in Mullingar

Three men have appeared before a special sitting of Mullingar District Court in connection with an incident on Thursday.

Leinster • 04 Jul 20