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Controversy brews in Bangor, Northern Ireland as the Ards and North Down Borough Council plans to spend up to forty thousand pounds on a Fleadh Cheoil fringe event, coinciding with the Ulster Championships of the Pipe Bands. The pipe band event has a budget of thirty-six thousand seven hundred pounds, but the fringe gig is tied to the massive Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast. Local reactions are mixed, with some councillors and the TUV party expressing concerns about the decision. The council voted to proceed with both events, with the fringes future depending on approval in the upcoming rates process.

Nenagh Ormond and Young Munster kicked off Division one A with a thrilling match, ending 43-31 in Young Munsters favor. Nenagh Ormond scored four tries, with Willie Coffey and Charlie ODoherty each scoring a pair. ODoherty also nailed all four conversions and a penalty. Young Munster responded with six tries, including two from Oran OReilly and Luke McCready, and Shane OLeary added five conversions and a penalty. In Division one B, Highfield secured a 15-10 victory over Garryowen, thanks to tries from James Cronin and Nicholas Greene, and Shane ORiordans conversions and penalty. Shannon maintained their position in Division two A with a 21-10 win against Old Crescent, thanks to tries from Cian McCann and Darren Gavin, and Jamie Gavins penalties and conversion. In Division two B, UL Bohemian won 21-10 but dropped to third, while Thomond held onto the top spot in Division two C after a narrow 22-20 victory over Bruff. The womens All-Ireland League saw UL Bohemian remain undefeated with a 36-0 shutout over Ballincollig, thanks to two tries each from Claire Bennett and Chloe Pearse.

Limerick students shine at Young Scientist Exhibition, securing seven awards. Coláiste Chiaráins Miles Bueno and Sarah Hurley win AerCap Sustainable Skies Award and second place in senior technology for PowerPredict, forecasting power outages. Thomas O’Sullivan takes first in junior individual category with Chirp, monitoring bats using AI. Desmond Colleges Sophie Keane earns Housing Agency Award and second in senior individual health for bed bug solution. Daniel Doherty secures second in junior individual health with Grip Geenie, boosting comfort for grip issues. Nell McMahon wins third in intermediate individual health for AsthmaSense, tracking and predicting asthma attacks.

A forty-year-old handyman from Ireland, Grzegorz Przybylak, avoided jail time after stealing from a womans home. He was sentenced to two hundred hours of community service instead. Przybylak had been hired to do work at the womans house but instead took her car key, jewelry, and cash worth one thousand seven hundred euros. The victims powerful impact statement highlighted the emotional and financial toll of the theft. Przybylaks lawyer argued for leniency, citing a good probation report and full restitution. The judge emphasized the harm caused by the betrayal of trust. Przybylak now has twelve months to complete his community service, a second chance after acknowledging the breach that shook the victims sense of safety.

From Lithuanian immigrant to Irelands entertainment titan, the Elliman familys story is a captivating tale of resilience and success. Starting as a greengrocer, Maurice Elliman built an empire of cinemas and theaters, including the Gaiety and Theatre Royal. His son Louis continued the legacy, rubbing shoulders with Hollywood legends like Wilder, Disney, Warner, and Mayer. This book, penned by Wendy Elliman, offers a vivid glimpse into their family saga, filled with grit, gossip, and glamour that still resonates today.

Four-year-old boy, described as beautiful, clever, happy, and caring, was murdered by his stepmother in a brutal case of child abuse. The boys father called emergency services after the boy fell from the top bunk bed, but paramedics found him unresponsive with bruises all over his body. The stepmother admitted to shaking the boy and causing his head to strike the floor, leading to his death. The boys mother shared her heartbreak, imagining him crying for help and terrified. The father was sentenced to seven years in prison for endangerment, neglect, and trying to cover up the murder. The stepmother faces mandatory life imprisonment this Wednesday, plus sentencing for two counts of child cruelty.

Accidental Theatre, a beloved community arts group in Belfast, has made a significant milestone by purchasing the former Northern Bank building. This historic neo-Georgian structure, located in the heart of the city, will now serve as a permanent arts and community space. The theatre, which has been a hub for local talent in various art forms since 2017, has faced challenges due to low funding in Northern Irelands arts scene. However, with this new acquisition, they aim to provide long-term stability and support for artists and communities, promising an even more vibrant future.

Convicted con artist Catherine OBrien faces sentencing this Wednesday for scamming a man out of over twenty-two thousand euros in a fake horse deal. Despite multiple delays due to medical certificates and rescheduling, the court aims to deliver justice and hold OBrien accountable for her deceitful actions.

A Ukrainian refugee, seeking safety in Ireland, stands trial for allegedly attempting to murder her eight-year-old daughter. The mother, who pleaded not guilty, claims she was out of her mind at the time of the brutal stabbing. The incident occurred in September 2022, leaving the girl with life-threatening injuries. The mother was found confused and unresponsive, with prescription drugs nearby. The trial, before judge Kerida Naidoo and a jury, will determine if the mother knew what she was doing or suffered from a mental disorder. This case underscores the hidden struggles of war and displacement on families seeking refuge.