Concerns raised across Ireland after outbreak of bluetongue confirmed in North

THE Irish Government has increased surveillance at farms across the country after an outbreak of bluetongue was confirmed in Northern Ireland. More than 40 suspected cases of the disease have been reported at a farm in Bangor, Co. Down. As a result, a temporary controlled zone has been put in place around the site in an attempt to control the spread of the virus, which is … [Read more...] about Concerns raised across Ireland after outbreak of bluetongue confirmed in North

THE Irish Government has purchased 100 acres of land next to the Glen of the Downs beauty spot in Co. Wicklow. The site is one of Ireland’s few remaining ancient oak woodlands and ranks fifth in the country in terms of its condition. The acquisition by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will increase the size of the nature reserve by two thirds, bringing it to a … [Read more...] about Irish state buys 100 acres of land to expand Glen of the Downs beauty spot

MORE than 40 suspected cases of bluetongue have been found in cows at a farm in Co. Down. Two cases were recently recorded at the farm in Bangor but now testing carried out by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has revealed the disease may be present in a further 44 cattle at the site. The non-contagious, insect-borne, viral disease affects … [Read more...] about Bluetongue found in herd of cows in Northern Ireland

IRELAND’S newly appointed Foreign Affairs Minister has had an introductory call with her British counterpart Yvette Cooper. Helen McEntee spoke with the British Foreign Secretary by phone yesterday. It marked the first formal interaction by the pair since Ms McEntee was given the foreign affairs portfolio last month in a cabinet reshuffle prompted by the departure of Paschal … [Read more...] about Ireland’s foreign affairs minister ‘looking forward’ to working with British counterpart Yvette Cooper

MARTIN O'NEILL ended his temporary spell in charge of Celtic with a 1-0 win against Dundee at Celtic Park, with Wilfred Nancy announced as his replacement. Co. Derry native O'Neill, 73, oversaw a turnaround in the Parkhead club's fortunes during his five-week interim spell, winning all five of his league games as Celtic scored 11 goals and conceded just one. The Hoops lost 3-1 … [Read more...] about Martin O’Neill bows out of Celtic with win as Wilfred Nancy announced as new manager