Rapid reading summmary of reports with web links including –
Donegal priests hit out at graveyard robberies
Cin – Priests in a County Donegal parish have hit out at thieves who steal wreaths and over souvenirs from graveyards, and have asked them to desist from such activities.
The plea comes from priests at Saint Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny after a number of attacks, thefts, and acts of vandalism, at a number of local graveyards. It is believed that such thefts, which have occurred mainly in Cowal and Leck graveyards near the town, include precious personal items including pictures, teddy bears and rosary beads.
A&E crisis hits breaking point in Northern Ireland
Belfast Telegraph – The health service is facing a fresh crisis with the stark warning that some of Northern Ireland’s busiest A&Es are reaching breaking point.
The situation has become so bad that a leading nursing union has held formal talks with bosses at the Belfast and Northern Health & Social Care Trusts amid claims that patient safety is being put at risk.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/aampe-crisis-hits-breaking-point-in-northern-ireland-16127700.html#ixzz1oYdHTB9H
Troubles victims ‘feel forgotten’
BBC- Thousands of people who lost limbs or suffered other serious injuries in the Troubles feel forgotten in the peace process, a new study suggests.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-17301179
40% of children surveyed were bullied
Irish Examiner – Forty percent of nine-year-olds were victims of bullying or being “picked on”, and about 90% reported it had caused them upset. Children in the Growing Up in Ireland report were asked to respond to a series of questions about whether they had been bullied in the previous year by either a child or an adult. Prevalence rates were the same for boys and girls.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/40-of-children-surveyed-were-bullied-186518.html
Millions spent on Holyland area
BBC – The annual cost of providing policing and other services in Belfast’s Holyland area rises to over £3m a year.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-17297046
New teachers face cut to €4,400 allowance in public pay shake-up
Independent.ie – Newly appointed teachers face cuts to a €4,426-a-year allowance in the latest clampdown on public service pay.
They are among tens of thousands of state employees facing the abolition or reduction of allowances and premium payments that top-up their basic salaries.
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/new-teachers-face-cut-to-4400-allowance-in-public-pay-shakeup-3045021.html