Sister of missing girl to raise awareness on US trip
The twin sister of a Donegal schoolgirl who has been missing and presumed murdered since 1977 is travelling to the US this week to try to raise awareness about the case.
Mary Boyle disappeared, aged six, in March 1977 on her grandparents' remote farm in Cashelard, Co Donegal. She is Ireland's youngest and longest missing person.
Her sister Ann is travelling to Washington with journalist Gemma O'Doherty. They plan to meet Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Irish Ambassador Anne Anderson, as well as the Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.
IBTS calls for more blood donations
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service has said it is concerned about maintaining supplies to hospitals over the coming two weeks.
While hospital requirements have been down in recent months (by 4%) donations levels have dropped significantly (10-12%).
"This morning, blood-supply levels of the main blood groups stand between four and five days. While the knock-on effect of low haemoglobin levels is expected to last for some time, it is imperative that donors come forward over the next few weeks to safeguard blood supplies during the extended holiday period of St Patrick's Day and Easter.
"In addition to normal clinics, IBTS has scheduled an additional six mobile clinics on Sunday 20 March to facilitate extra donations. These clinics will be held in Raheny, Carrickmacross, Waterford, Sligo, Carrigaline and Aherlow." See www.giveblood.ie for more.
Visitor restrictions in place at Mercy University Hospital Cork
Management at Mercy University Hospital (MUH) Cork is advising that visiting restrictions are in place at the hospital due to an outbreak of influenza.
Visiting is restricted for all areas except for patients who are critically ill or for parents visiting their children on St Anne’s ward.
Visitors who themselves may be unwell or have any flu symptoms are advised not to visit the hospital.
Retired judge to contest in Seanad election
Retired judge Seán MacBride is contesting the Seanad election.
Mr MacBride, a former district court judge, with an address at Dumaweir, Greencastle, Co Donegal is contesting a seat on the cultural and educational panel.
He retired in March 2015 after serving for a decade as District 5 judge in Cavan and Monaghan.
Two arrested over supermarket robbery
Gardaí have arrested two men, aged 37 and 40 years, in connection with a robbery that occurred at a supermarket in Ongar Village in Dublin last night.
It is believed that up to three men, in possession of firearms and knives, entered the shop at around 8.30pm.
They threatened staff and demanded cash. The raiders then left the scene empty-handed in a silver car.
The men are currently detained at Blanchardstown Garda Station and a car, a firearm and a knife were recovered.
Gardaí urge greater phone safety
60% of thefts and robberies involve the stealing of a mobile phone, latest figures from An Garda Síochána.
Over 7,000 mobile phones, the majority of which are smartphones, worth an estimated €3m have been stolen from people since 2015.
An Garda Síochána highlighted the figures today at the launch of a Crime Prevention Day of Action.
"An Garda Síochána strongly recommends that smart phone owners record details of their IMEI number. Only one in three people have this unique number when reporting their smart phone stolen," a garda spokesman said.
2.6 tonnes of elephant tusks burned
Malawi on Monday burned 2.6 tonnes of ivory smuggled from Tanzania after a cross-border dispute over whether the elephant tusks should be saved as legal evidence against poachers.
Tanzania had succeeded in delaying the burning since September, but a court in Malawi this month ordered wildlife authorities to publicly destroy the 781 pieces of ivory - valued at nearly €2.7m.
"This is a milestone for Malawi. We will not allow the country to be exploited as a market of this illegal trade," an official said.
"We want demonstrate to the world that the country is committed to eradicating wildlife crime."
