Below are recent stories by Danielle Harney
Published: 3 Mar 2010 18:00
Taxi drivers tested on wrong town
Taxi drivers who want to work in Athlone have to pass a street knowledge test of Mullingar to get a licence from the Taxi Regulator, it has been claimed this week.
Published: 3 Mar 2010 17:30
'Don't waste money on facilities that will be wrecked' - Cllr Buckley Byrne
Independent councillor Sheila Buckley Byrne was asked to retract comments she made comparing the illegal dumping in Willow Park to the old town dump.
Published: 3 Mar 2010 17:30
Over 1,300 on waiting list but only seven new houses
Athlone Town Council will buy or build a total of seven houses to accommodate those on the housing waiting list this year.
Published: 3 Mar 2010 17:30
Ambitious plans for €3m Castle revamp unveiled
The €3 million regeneration of Athlone Castle will focus the whole visitor experience on the 1691 Siege of Athlone which will be a "colourful, noisy, dusty, interactive exhibition" according to the architects behind the plan.
Published: 24 Feb 2010 17:30
Bower nun relives Haitian nightmare
A BOWER nun has spoken warmly of the Haitian's people resilience and courage in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake five weeks ago.
Last updated: 17 Feb 2010 18:00
Cloonakilla NS moves on but no joy for Athlone schools
There was good news for Cloonakilla NS in Bealnamulla this week as a major extension and refurbishment works have been sanctioned by the Department of Education.
Published: 17 Feb 2010 17:30
Rodents and insects reported in local hospitals
A total of 58 pest control incidents were recorded at hospitals in both Mullingar and Ballinsloe during the space of four years up to 2009, according to hospital records released over the weekend.
Published: 17 Feb 2010 17:30
Red Cross to assess Athlone flood claims
A total of 15% of applications made to the Irish Red Cross Flood Relief Fund came from people with addresses in counties Westmeath and Roscommon.
Published: 17 Feb 2010 17:30
Athlone's the place to be in 2010
THERE'S a plethora of spectacular festivals and events organised to take place in Athlone throughout this year, which will not only provide all kinds of entertainment for locals and visitors alike, but also an economic boost of millions of euro.
Published: 10 Feb 2010 18:00
Athlone's €20m health campus unlikely to start in 2010
There are growing concerns that the long-planned Athlone Primary Care unit is set for further delays.
Last updated: 27 Jan 2010 18:00
Sex industry thriving in the Midlands
The sex industry is "thriving" in towns like Athlone across the Midlands and many women involved are trafficked here and forced into prostitution, according to Fine Gael Deputy Denis Naughten.
Published: 27 Jan 2010 17:30
Athlone workers' relief after false reports of Ericsson job cuts
Workers in Athlone's Ericsson can breath a sigh of relief as the company confirmed that reports of further jobs cuts are incorrect.
Published: 27 Jan 2010 17:30
Flood funds of €300,000 will be equally distributed to families directly affected
There is still over €300,000 left to distribute to families in the Athlone area whose homes were destroyed the floods last November.
Published: 27 Jan 2010 17:30
Flood funds of €300,000 will be equally distributed to families directly affected
There is still over €300,000 left to distribute to families in the Athlone area whose homes were destroyed the floods last November.
Published: 27 Jan 2010 17:30
Patient safety threatened by midlands bed crisis - nurses
The number of patients waiting on trolleys in Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar has reached "unprecedented levels" and is endangering patients' lives, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.
Published: 20 Jan 2010 18:00
Bower earthquake survivor will stay on to help in Haiti
A nun from Athlone's Bower Convent has survived the devastating earthquake that ripped apart Haiti last week. Sr Maria Hawkes managed to make contact with the sisters in the Bower by text message to reassure them that she was safe and well.
Last updated: 9 Dec 2009 18:00
Athlone rainfall: A once in 163-year event
November deluge was unprecedented
Published: 26 Nov 2009 17:30
Mayor slams union's stance on striking
The Mayor of Athlone has criticised the union representing outdoor staff for refusing to allow the council workers to come off strike to help battle the raising flood waters in the town and surrounding areas yesterday (Tuesday).
Published: 11 Nov 2009 17:30
Christmas excitement begins with shoebox appeal at Cornafulla NS
Christmas came early to Cornafulla National School last Friday morning, as stacks of boxes wrapped in colourful Christmas paper were piled up in the main hallway of the school by the time classes got underway.
Published: 4 Nov 2009 18:00
Traffic gridlock grips locally as road works bite
A combination of road works, lane closures and diversions caused traffic gridlock in Athlone early this week.
Published: 4 Nov 2009 17:30
Ex-Athlone army man pens book on his military career
A part-time author living in Ferbane has written a book of poetry inspired by his long career in the army.
Published: 21 Oct 2009 16:55
"An cigire" gives top marks to Athlone's education system
A teacher by trade, it was Noel Huston's decision to become a school inspector that brought him to Athlone in 1982. Originally from Mohill in Co Leitrim, Noel went to teaching college in Rathmines in the early 1970s.
Published: 21 Oct 2009 16:30
"An cigire" gives top marks to Athlone's education system
A teacher by trade, it was Noel Huston's decision to become a school inspector that brought him to Athlone in 1982.
Published: 14 Oct 2009 17:05
Mock wedding to help new Athlone animal group
Athlone's newest animal welfare organisation is hoping for lots of support at its fundraising event this coming Saturday October 17.
Published: 6 Oct 2009 12:55
It's no joke - Brian Cowen's face is selling out in Athlone
One local trader's decision to order one thousand Brian Cowen rubber masks has resulted in a boom in trade as the country goes bust. In fact, as the trials and tribulations of our country's leader receive continuing public criticism, the Athlone Joke Shop is selling out the fancy dress mask.
Published: 16 Sep 2009 21:00
Stranger shot family cat with pellet gun
A woman whose cat was shot dead by a man with a pellet gun in the Bealnamulla area has made a public appeal for other pet owners in that area to mind their pets.
Published: 16 Sep 2009 21:00
Minister steps back from wielding axe on Athlone payroll jobs
Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe has shied away from accepting a proposal in the McCarthy report to close the payroll section at the department's centre in Athlone with the loss of 132 jobs.
Published: 16 Sep 2009 20:00
Education Minister backs rural schools' future as he officially opens Ballybay Central extension
The potential threat of protesters didn't prevent the Minister for Education from leaving his party's think-in in Hodson Bay to officially open Ballybay Central National School's new extension in Kiltoom on Monday.
Published: 11 Sep 2009 14:00
A young Athlone woman has made a public plea for help as she has spent over one year stuck in a hospital ward because of a lack of funding for home nursing care.
Published: 11 Sep 2009 14:00
Series of protests planned as Athlone to host Fianna Fáil and Greens
Anti-government protesters, farmers and those objecting to NAMA are expected to descend upon Athlone to make their feelings known as both government parties meet in the town from this weekend.
News from around the Midlands