In this week's Westmeath Independent

This week’s Westmeath Independent is now on the shelves and is packed with 40 pages of news, sport and photos. Featured stories include:

* Court case where Judge orders donation be given to a defendant who was begging.


* Athlone native, Fr Raymond Browne, appointed Bishop of Kerry


* Relief as Athlone B&Q jobs secured


* Athlone girl who was crowned Liverpool Rose last weekend speaks to the Westmeath Independent of her delight.

* Athlone performing arts group, Starlight Kidz become first group outside Dublin to win All Ireland Minitops final. See photos and reaction to their big win.


* We have coverage and photos from the opening night of the RTE Drama Festival

* There’s a full page of photos from last weekend’s Gathering at Uisneach.


* Eleven pages of top sports coverage includes reaction and analysis of Athlone Town’s victory over Wexford Youths in the Airtricity League First Division.


All this and much more in this week’s paper, which is available in local outlets and can also be accessed in the ePaper format (for more on this option, see: http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/epaper#undefined)