Tipp Mid West

Co Tipperary TD Michael Lowry is now facing four charges of filing incorrect tax returns after three additional charges were laid against him today. 

 

Mr Lowry was not present at a sitting of Thurles District Court today but was represented by solicitor Michael Collins.

 

Of the three charges put to him today one alleges that he knowingly filed incorrect tax return on August 3rd 2007 The other two charges relate to alleged filing of incorrect tax returns on Oct 21st 2003

 

He was initially charged in December with filing an incorrect tax return on the same date Oct 21st 2003 

Gardaí are treating as suspicious the death of a man whose body was found in a drain near Clara in Co Offaly.

 

The body, which is believed to be that of a 47-year-old local man, was discovered this morning.

Limerick-based academic and curator Mike Fitzpatrick has been appointed Interim Head of the Limerick City of Culture project.

 

Mr Fitzpatrick is set to take over following the resignations of the project chief executive, Patricia Ryan, and artistic director Karl Wallace.

 

An official announcement is due to be made shortly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Government has promised to fast-track funding for clean-up operations as winter storms maintain their grip on the country. 

 

Thousands of homes and businesses were left without power, while the severe weather caused further structural damage.

 

Communities along the western seaboard endured another day of high winds and tidal surges.

 

A Met Éireann status yellow warning is in place for coastal counties of the south and west. The alert means people may be significantly affected by widespread gales with gusts of up to 110km/h.

 

There was flooding in Cork city this morning as the River Lee burst its banks.

 

Cork Business Association President Ernest Cantillon said several members reported minor flooding but flood barriers proved effective.

 

ESB Networks has said most of the customers across the country without power today will have it restored by this evening.

 

However, a lightning strike in Castlebar, Co Mayo left between 30 and 40 houses without power and it is unlikely it will be restored tonight.

 

Flood waters have receded in Salthill in Galway after high tides and strong winds caused road closures earlier this morning.

 

Most of Salthill promenade is open to traffic after Galway City Council road crews cleared debris washed ashore this morning.

 

The minister who oversees the Office of Public Works has said it is inevitable that additional money will have to be added to funds already available for local authorities to deal with storm damage.