A round-up of today's regional news stories in brief
21 acres of retail space lying vacant across midwest due to bad planning
More than 21 acres of retail space are now vacant across the midwest due to bad planning by local authorities and the economic downturn, an economic and planning meeting of Limerick City Council has heard.
There are currently 532,000 square metres of retail space in the midwest – double that which existed in 2002, but it has resulted in 86,000 square metres of retail space lying empty.
A report by UK-based Colliers CRE, which reviewed the midwest retail strategy for 2003-2011, found that many of the assumptions of the original document were “flawed”, resulting in a glut of retail space across the region.
Among its recommendations for drafting a new retail strategy for the region is that no additional retail floor space be granted for the Crescent Shopping Centre in Dooradoyle, Co Limerick, up until 2016.
They also outlined that planning permission for any shopping centre should not be granted outside the city centre, except in new residential areas or where there is a local deficiency.
Death of kite-surfer 'a tragic accident'
Winds were so strong that a kite-surfer was unable to take to the air before he was whipped along the beach on to a low cliff of rocks, an inquest was told yesterday.
David North (26), Drumany Glebe, Milltown, near Belturbet, Co Cavan, died when he was dragged on to the rocks by his 9.3m kite which, the jury was told, was old and fraying.
The accident happened at Rossnowlagh beach, Co Donegal, on November 24th last, the inquest was told.
Coroner Dr Diarmuid Hegarty said it was a tragic accident which resulted in Mr North receiving multiple skull fractures. A verdict of death by misadventure was recorded.
Murphy commission given more time
The Government has granted the commission inquiring into the handling of clerical child sex abuse allegations in the Catholic diocese of Cloyne more time to complete its work, writes Mary Minihan.
At yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, a request was approved to allow an extension until the end of October on behalf of the Murphy commission to complete its investigation and report.
The Government had previously agreed the investigation could continue until June 30th this year, after Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern had asked the Cabinet for an extension in December of last year.