Incinerator site queried by UNESCO

The cross-Border group known as "Battle for the Boyne", which opposes plans to build the Republic's first municipal waste incinerator…

The cross-Border group known as "Battle for the Boyne", which opposes plans to build the Republic's first municipal waste incinerator close to the World Heritage Site, has claimed a "significant success" by securing the interest of UNESCO.

The UN body designated the Bru na Boinne complex of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth as a World Heritage Site in 1983 and last week the plan by Indaver Ireland to build the incinerator at Carranstown, Co Meath, was raised at a meeting in Paris of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

"The Irish Government has now been asked by UNESCO to allow it to send a mission here to undertake an independent review of the situation and the impact of the project on the values and integrity of the site," said Mr Brian Hanratty, director of "Battle for the Boyne".

Indecent assault case adjourned

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A 63-year-old Christian Brother charged with the indecent assault of two boys at St Joseph's Industrial School in Galway city was remanded on continuing bail at Galway District Court yesterday. It was claimed in court that the accused man was too ill to attend court.

The man is charged with nine counts of indecently assaulting two boys on various dates between January 1st, 1972, and December 31st, 1979, at St Joseph's School, Salthill.

Judge Michael Connellan adjourned the case until October 13th.

Twinning of Achill and US city

Two centuries of ties between Achill island and the American city of Cleveland, Ohio, are to be marked next month when both communities will be "twinned" at a ceremony in Castlebar. The Mayor of Cleveland, Ms Jane Campbell, is to travel to Co Mayo for the ceremony on August 1st.

Imported fruit to cost more

Irish consumers may have to pay more for imported fruit from the European mainland. Higher than normal summer temperatures have increased demand for fruit there in a year when poor spring weather caused severe damage to crops.

Favourable review for Waterford

The Mayor of Waterford, Mr Tom Cunningham, has welcomed the favourable review which the city and county received in the recently-published seventh edition of The Rough Guide to Ireland.

Describing a "lively city", the guide notes how Waterford "retains buildings from Viking and Norman times, as well as from the 18th century - all periods of past eminence". It also notes that the city has "developed socially and economically even within the last 10 years", stating that the large number of students has generated an increasingly upbeat social scene.

Doherty daughter to stand for FF

The daughter of Mr Seán Doherty, the former Minister for Justice, is to stand for Fianna Fáil in next year's local elections in the Boyle area of Co Roscommon. Ms Rachel Doherty, a tourism officer in Cavan town, said she hoped that she would receive "great all-round support" from her father in the political arena.