Ciaran Mullooly

Midlands Correspondent

Patrick Lynn, of Greenhills Estate in Ballina, admitted two charges of defilement of a child

Man sentenced to prison on child defilement charges

A 52-year-old Mayo man who founded a youth club and groomed a 16-year-old boy before engaging in sexual acts with him at his home has been given a two-and-a-half year prison sentence.

Courts • 12 May 20

Village celebrates centenarian's birthday

Rathdowney in Co Laois came to a standstill this afternoon for a cavalcade to mark the 100th birthday of a local woman who has returned home from hospital to celebrate the occasion with her family.

Leinster • 06 May 20

Bord na Móna had been prevented from harvesting peat this season following a court ruling

Harvesting of Offaly peat bogs gets green light

An Bord Pleanála has given the go ahead for harvesting of peat bogs in Co Offaly.

Ireland • 06 May 20

Roscommon journalist Dan Dooner has turned his hand to hosting a radio show on RosFM

Boom in new local radio shows to help lift Covid gloom

The search for alternative lockdown entertainment and spiritual support on the airwaves during the Covid-19 emergency has left Ireland with dozens of new radio stations and daily broadcasts.

Coronavirus • 05 May 20

A garda investigation is under way into the incident

Man who became ill at homeless hostel dies in hospital

A 23-year-old man, who became ill at a homeless hostel in the midlands on Monday, has died in hospital.

Leinster • 01 May 20

Chief Superintendent John Scanlon said gardaí are investigating the circumstances surrounding all of the deaths

Gardaí issue drug warning following Offaly deaths

Gardaí in the midlands have issued a warning about the origin of substances or drugs which may have been bought on the internet and are presently being circulated in the midlands.

Leinster • 28 Apr 20

Gardaí say two women were found unresponsive at the hostel in Tullamore

Investigation after women die in homeless accommodation

Two people have died and two others are seriously ill in hospital after taking ill at a homeless hostel in the midlands in the last 24 hours.

Leinster • 27 Apr 20

Bord na Móna cited an unprecedented fall in commercial revenue and collapse in horticultural sales

230 jobs to go at Bord na Móna

Bord na Móna has confirmed that after an unprecedented fall in commercial revenues and a collapse in their horticultural sales the company is to lay off 230 employees.

Ireland • 21 Apr 20

St Anthony's School are attempting to raise funds through a GoFundMe page

Thieves steal fuel from school buses in Mayo

Gardai are warning schools and other businesses that have locked up compounds with school buses and lorries that they are being targeted during the Covid-19 emergency, following a spate of robberies in rural areas.

Connacht • 19 Apr 20

Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh said he has not been outside the front gate of his home for six weeks

Ó Muircheartaigh urges those cocooning to stay active

Legendary commentator Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh has launched a campaign to encourage people who are cocooning at home to get out into their garden and exercise more during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus • 18 Apr 20