Midlands103

The Director of the GAA says the association is "just not ready" to proceed within the proposed timeline for integration with the LGFA and Camogie Association. This comes after former President of Ireland Dr Mary McAleese stepped down from her role as chair of the Gaelic Games Integration Steering Group. The former President was appointed to lead the ISG in 2022, but leaves the role saying the management committee was "less than impressive" and "lacking in vision".

An Offaly firefighter due to attend 9/11 memorials in America says it's frustrating his flight has been delayed for a second day. Phil Keegan is among 40 firefighters who were due to travel to the states from Dublin Airport yesterday to make the 25th anniversary and remember those who died in the Twin Towers attack. They were due to join the New York firefighters tomorrow as part of a fundraising cycle.

file image There's fresh concern about Irish security, after a drone sighting off the east coast. The drone, described as "quite large", was reported to air traffic control in Dublin by an Aer Lingus pilot yesterday evening. It comes just days before the US president is due to arrive here, and follows previous drone activity in Dublin Bay when the Ukrainian president visited last December. Security and defence analyst, Mullingar's Declan Power says he's not surprised:

The company behind an application to build a drive-thru coffee shop in Westmeath is appealing a decision to reject the application. Planning permission was denied by the county council last month for plans to build the drive-thru at the Golden Island Shopping Centre in Athlone. The plans were rejected over concerns about traffic circulation, pedestrian safety, and the efficient operation of the Golden Island Shopping Centre road network.

A Midlands MEP says he's confident he and his colleageues in Brussells can make up the CAP fund shortfall. The Irish Farmers Association is warning the current proposed 20 per cent cut to the Common Agriculture Policy will leave Midlands farmers €76m short over a six year period. Fianna Fail's Barry Cowen has been promoting the use of funding streams from other sources within the EU including money that may be available from the Mercosur trade deal.

A man is due in court following a serious assault in the Midlands. The man, who is in his 40s, was arrested as part of the investigation into the incident which took place in Ballivor on Monday morning. He is expected to appear at Trim District Court this morning. The attack left a man in his 20s in a critical condition. He was initially brought to the Regional Hospital in Mullingar and then moved to Beaumont Hospital where he continues to receive treatment.

photo credit: Facebook/Macra Na Feirme A Laois farmer has won on the national stage. Liam Barton has been named as this year's Land Mobility Farmer of the Year at a gala event in the Heritage Hotel in Killenard. Land mobility accounts for collaborative arrangements, shared milking, and contract rearing. Mr Barton was also a finalist in the Young Farmer of the Year category which was won by horticulturist from Dublin, Shane Halpin.

News Home More from Midlands News A Mullingar woman has been honoured with a national award for her tireless efforts supporting her local Hospice. Marie Kiernan has been a rock of support to North Westmeath Hospice since its foundation over 30 years ago. She was a recent recipient of a Together for Hospice National Super Host Award, recognising her “outstanding ingenuity, leadership, community spirit and unwavering commitment to the hospice’s fundraising efforts”.

News Home More from Midlands News An Offaly woman has been honoured with a national award for her tireless efforts supporting her local Hospice. Siobhán Smyth Dwyer from Birr was a recent recipient of a Together for Hospice National Super Host Award, recognising her “massive fundraising support to Offaly Hospice Foundation”. The presentation took place at a special ceremony in St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown, Dublin.

The Down's secured their place in the semi-finals of the Westmeath Football Championship over the weekend. Dermot Power's side sealed their place thanks to a 3-15 to 2-11 win over Garrycastle, with Coralstown Kinnegad also booking their spot thanks to their 1-17 to 1-10 win over Mullingar Shamrocks. Meanwhile, Athlone and Moate All-Whites have been paired together in the Westmeath SFC quarter-final draw. St Loman's Mullingar defeated Caulry to seal their quarter-final spot alongside Tubberclair.