Limerick Blogger - independent Limerick news, sport, events and forum

Authorities in Italy are searching for an 82 year old Limerickwoman who went missing in the north of the country three days ago.

Mairead Geary was last seen on Friday in the town of Stressa, northwest of Milan, when she had told those she was with that she wanted to take a cable car to a viewing station on Mount Mottarone.

Ms Geary was in italy with an Irish Tour group.

The alarm was raised when she failed to return for dinner on Friday, and Italian police have been searching for her since.

According to RTE news, Ms Geary’s family travelled out to Italy yesterday.

An investigation is underway following a shooting in Garryowen which left a man with leg injuries.

The attack happened last night at approximately 2300 hrs when a man stepped out of a black BMW car, on the South Claughan Road, fired several shots at the man, and made his getaway in the car.

The injured man was taken to the Midwestern Regional Hospital where his injuries are described as serious but not life threatening.

Media reports say that the attack was not feud related.

This is an invitation to all candidates in the upcoming City and County Council local elections.

We are putting together a video series featuring the election hopefuls, in order to give voters and politicians a chance to connect directly—and without the constraints of column issues and agendas.

Each episode will run to about 15 minutes, and will consist of a short interview with the election candidate, along with some footage of them on the campaign trail. The candidate may, if they choose, use the “out and about” portion of the feature to highlight something more specific, for example, an area of their constituency which needs cleaning up, a community project they wish to bring attention to, or just to show interesting and unique ways in which they are getting their message out.

We hope to start recording this in November, and releasing episodes at the start of January.

If you are interested in taking part in this project of ours, please drop us an e-mail, including a contact telephone number so that we can set up an appointment with you.

While we will make every effort ourselves to contact as many candidates as possible with this invitation, and we would appreciate any help you can give us—if you know any candidates personally, please let them know about this project.

To contact us, simply drop us a mail at editors@limerickblogger.org,

An investigation is under way following an overnight gun attack at a halting site in Castletroy.

A number of shots were fired at a caravan on the site near Finnigans Roundabout on the Dublin Road shortly before Midnight.

While the caravan was occupied at the time of the attack, no one was injured.

We have been asked to let those who wish to see Republic of Loose tonight at Trinity Rooms, that tickets are availible at the door at 2100 hrs.

From the blurb

epublic of  Loose and Trinity Rooms have always rolled together, from small shows in the Red Room (RIP) to Birthday Party’s to rocking the main room and now they’re back to launch their new album “Johnny Pyro and the Dance of Evil” at the city centre venue on Friday 10th October for a special early show on the back of their current No.1 Single , The Steady Song !

Come join Republic Of Loose; a band as well named as this, as they launch their second album. A collective of like-minded souls with a loose aggregation of influences and inspiration. But they’re not some funkateers from LA, Memphis or Philadelphia. This is a bunch of white Dubliners on the musical razzle. And if you have a problem with that, then frontman Mick Pyro, he of the gorgeous white soul voice, will cheerfully stick two fingers in your direction, but in the most academic manner

By going their own way, Republic Of Loose have forged their own originality and naivety, with a hip-swinging centre that women – and yes, you men too! – love. In any case, the music has its own authenticity because it’s forged from passion and empathy, not from style and careerism, and it’s already paid off; when released in Ireland, Aaagh! reached number two in the charts and garnered two nominations apiece for the prestigious Meteor and Choice Awards. Meanwhile, mesmerising live performances led to tour supports with The Neville Brothers, The Thrills, The Zutons, Scissor Sisters, Alabama 3, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Snow Patrol, The Roots, and Dilated Peoples, plus festival appearances at Glastonbury, T In The Park, The Fleadh, Oxygen and the Transmusicale, Nice Jazz and Furia Sound festivals in France.

And a sample

That sinking feeling..

The last section of the Tunnel has been sunk on the riverbed out Coonagh direction. The 20,000 ton concrete structure was the last of the four that have been laid in the last few months.  The tunnel which will be tolled is part of the southern ring road and will mean that you can bypass the city centre from the Dock road side and head for Ennis direction.  The 900 metre tunnel is due for completion in 2010.

Reel up, Reel up.

Looks like plans will shortly be afoot to bring a cinema complex back to the city centre.  Fordmount developments who have bought up a section of property on Bedford Row are apparently about to lodge an application for a seven or eight screen multiplex on the row.  It is believed that City council may look favourable on this application as a means of attracting people back into the city centre.  Since the Savoy closed there has been no cinema complex in the city. Ironically enough, this proposed new complex is across the street from where the Savoy once stood!

New shops

Lidl have opened their second shop in Limerick out the Dublin rd opposite Chawkes.  In this era of penny pinching and tightening of belts it should be doing good business! Clancy electrical also opened up their new store out by the Parkway in the old Kiely electrical premises.

Gaa news

New Senior hurling boss Justin McCarthy wont have long to wait to try and exact revenge on his old team as Limerick have been drawn against Waterford in the Munster championship semi final next year. The footballers have benefited from the scrapping of the seeded draw and they will face Tipperary in the quarter final.

Rugby

Heineken cup returns to Thomond park tonight, kick off 8pm. Gates open 6pm Once again Bus eireann are running shuttle buses out from Dunnes Henry Street from 6-8. There are no tickets available to purchase at the ground officially, but doubtless if you look hard enough you may get lucky.  

Coach Tony McGahan - ”The side chosen for this first ERC game is one based on current form.  This side is we believe is the best fit to get a result against a very competitive Montauban XV.  There were some tough decisions because almost the whole squad of players were given an opportunity to impress over the course of the Magners League campaign to date and put their hand up for selection.

 
“We haven’t played against Montauban before but we have done a lot of analysis on them.  They have a strong and physical forward pack, pace in the outside backs and process a strong kicking game.  Their consistent performances in the French Top 14 makes them fully deserving of a place in what is a very competitive pool alongside Clermont and Sale.  Our approach is the same for every game in showing the opposition full respect while making sure we control our impact and decision making in getting the right result. ”We have learned from our first game at Thomond Park last Saturday night and the condition we faced could be similar.  We have to be focused on our ball carry and ball protection otherwise like all good French sides they can score from anywhere.”

Munster: K Earls, D Howlett, R Tipoki, L Mafi,  I Dowling,  R O’Gara,  P Stringer  M Horan, J Flannery,  J Hayes  P O’Connell capt,  D O’Callaghan, A Quinlan,  D Wallace, J Melck. Replacements: D Fogarty, F Pucciariello, D Ryan, J O’Sullivan, M Prendergast, P Warwick, B Murphy,