Below are recent stories by Adrian Cusack
Published: 25 Aug 2010 17:00
Another 70 out of work in Moate
A receiver has been appointed to one of the region's most prominent structural engineering companies, leaving more than 70 staff out of work.
Published: 25 Aug 2010 17:00
Huge crowd mourns passing of local doctor Ursula O'Neill
One of the midlands' best-known doctors, Ursula O'Neill, has died after a lengthy and courageous battle with illness.
Published: 25 Aug 2010 17:00
ACC's rental scheme is praised by parents
On Monday, the assembly hall at Athlone Community College resembled the scene of a world record attempt for the largest number of school books in one room.
Published: 25 Aug 2010 17:00
Athlone man's music show returns to tv screens
A music-based television show produced and co-hosted by Athlone native Elton Mullally has been awarded a second series on RTE Two.
Published: 18 Aug 2010 17:30
Local Muslims mark start of Ramadan
Last week, Athlone-based Muslims joined their counterparts around the world by starting their fast for Ramadan, the holiest month of the Islamic calendar.
Last updated: 18 Aug 2010 17:30
It's cheaper to leave Athlone than to visit
Athlone's Chamber of Commerce has appealed to Irish Rail to change train fares which make it cheaper for shoppers and tourists to leave Athlone and go to Dublin than to travel from the capital to Athlone.
Published: 18 Aug 2010 17:30
Council admits Athlone Castle project won't be finished this year
Athlone Town Council has conceded that the €3m redevelopment of Athlone Castle will not be finished this year.
Published: 18 Aug 2010 17:30
Coosan's Golden Girl collects a fifth gold medal
Local girl Cliodhna Golden completed an impressive string of successes at the National Community Games when her performance with the Beechpark/Coosan Variety Group last weekend earned her a fifth gold medal at the last six finals of the event.
Published: 18 Aug 2010 17:15
Rosemount priest set for skydive fundraiser
Rosemount priest Fr Tony Gavin is no fan of heights. Despite this, he will soon be dropped from the sky at an altitude of 13,000 feet.
Published: 4 Aug 2010 17:25
Athlone Community College's new school moves a step closer
The process of replacing the existing Athlone Community College with a new school building took a step forward last week.
Published: 4 Aug 2010 17:20
Huge crowds mourn tragic Drum accident victim
The Church of St Brigid in Drum overflowed with mourners on Thursday afternoon last, as people from near and far gathered to pay their respects at the funeral of local man Owen McManus.
Published: 4 Aug 2010 17:05
Disappointment at crowd for Athlone Music Festival
The organiser of the Athlone Music Festival has expressed disappointment with the number of people who attended the inaugural event last weekend.
Published: 4 Aug 2010 17:05
Go-ahead for Athlone Travel Lodge development
Westmeath County Council has granted planning permission for the development of a 41-bedroom Travel Lodge hotel in Athlone.
Published: 4 Aug 2010 17:00
Brian Lenihan shares his fond Athlone memories
Finance Minister Brian Lenihan discussed his memories of growing up in Athlone during a visit to the Lough Ree Yacht Club.
Published: 4 Aug 2010 17:00
Dr Connolly retires after over thirty years service
As he looked back on his career last week, Dr Kevin Connolly said he was "very privileged.
Published: 4 Aug 2010 17:00
South Roscommon councillors weigh in on Mayor Ming 'prayergate' incident
Councillors in South Roscommon have weighed in on a controversy over whether or not the county's agnostic Mayor should recite a prayer at the start of each council meeting.
Published: 4 Aug 2010 17:00
Portiuncula more than €3m over budget by April end
The operating cost of Ballinasloe's Portiuncula Hospital exceeded its budget by €3.2m during the first four months of 2010.
Published: 28 Jul 2010 18:00
Knock wants Athlone woman's case to be recognised as miracle
The case of an Athlone woman who said she was cured of Multiple Sclerosis during a visit to Knock is being sent to the Vatican in the hope that it could be officially declared a miracle by the Catholic Church.
Published: 28 Jul 2010 17:00
Ex-Athlone IT academic honoured at function in Shamrock Lodge
When Professor Eliathamby Ambikairajah (widely known as 'Dr Ambi') left Athlone to move to Australia in 1999, the departure was described in the Westmeath Independent as a 'major blow not just to the Midlands but to Ireland.'
Published: 21 Jul 2010 17:10
Dental cuts 'an assault on the least well-off'
Cuts to the dental services being provided under the medical card scheme are currently having a serious impact on patients and dentists, according to practitioners in the Midlands.
Published: 21 Jul 2010 17:10
Athlone-based priest moving to new role at Sligo IT
After two years' work in Athlone, Fr John Coughlan is returning to his roots. Next month the native of Ballygawley, a ten-minute drive from Sligo town, will leave his post at Athlone's Church of Saints Peter and Paul and take up a new role as chaplain at Sligo Institute of Technology.
Published: 14 Jul 2010 18:00
Youth sex assault claim probed
Local Gardai are investigating allegations of an assault in Athlone on a youth who was in the care of the HSE.
Published: 14 Jul 2010 17:30
HSE expects Monksland primary care facility to open early next year
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has said it expects a new Primary Care facility in Monksland to be in operation early next year.
Published: 7 Jul 2010 18:00
Future of triAthlone hangs in the balance
The fifth annual triAthlone delivered on its promise to be the biggest and best yet, as thousands of visitors flocked to the town to participate or catch a glimpse of the European Triathlon Championships last weekend.
Published: 7 Jul 2010 17:30
O'Rourke expects a Fianna Fáil defeat at next general election
Fianna Fáil TD Mary O'Rourke has said she expects her party to be voted out of power at the next general election.
Published: 30 Jun 2010 19:45
Extensions to pubs' hours for triAthlone
Publicans in Athlone are applying for an extension to their opening hours to coincide with this weekend's triAthlone.
Published: 30 Jun 2010 19:45
Bealnamulla resident tells of abuse as a child
Athlone represented a kind of paradise for John Meehan, in contrast to the incredible darkness he had experienced before being put on a bus and sent to the town at the age of 17.
Published: 23 Jun 2010 17:42
World and European champions to do battle in upcoming triAthlone elite race
The current World and European Triathlon Champions are set to do battle in the Elite Men's Race at the upcoming European Triathlon Championships in Athlone.
Last updated: 9 Jun 2010 18:00
HSE briefs council on Loughloe House and Primary Care controversies
The HSE's handling of health services in Athlone came in for strong criticism when its top local official attended a special meeting of the town council on Tuesday.
Published: 9 Jun 2010 17:30
O'Rourke "very hurt" by Prime Time portrayal of Athlone
Athlone TD Mary O'Rourke has criticised the portrayal of Athlone in last week's special edition of the RTE Prime Time programme which was broadcast from the town.
News from around the Midlands