UPDATE: A man in his 60s has tragically died following a house fire in Hollyhill, Co Cork, late last night. The incident occurred around 12:45 AM at a residence in the Ardcullen residential development, prompting immediate response from emergency services.

According to officials, as firefighters from the Cork City Fire Brigade extinguished the blaze, they found the man unresponsive inside the home. Despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. A woman in her 60s, who managed to escape with the help of neighbors, was rushed to Cork University Hospital for treatment of injuries that are reportedly “not life-threatening.”

Victor Shine, Second Officer of the Cork City Fire Brigade, confirmed that the call came in at 00:42 AM. “When crews arrived, one person was out of the house and being tended to by neighbours,” he stated. “Upon entering the property, resuscitation efforts were made for the second male, but sadly he did not survive.”

The scene is currently sealed off as investigations continue, with a technical examination set to be conducted to determine the cause of the fire. A post-mortem examination will also be carried out, and local authorities have been notified.

In a separate incident, authorities are investigating the death of a 77-year-old man, Gus Dempsey, who was found on a road in Bandon, Co Cork, earlier this morning. At approximately 6:30 AM, a passerby discovered Dempsey’s body next to his bicycle. Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene, and a post-mortem examination is pending.

Dempsey’s passing comes just months after he lost his home in a fire, highlighting a tragic series of events for the retired farmer. After the previous fire, he had been living with a neighbor while awaiting emergency accommodation approval from Cork County Council.

Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding Dempsey’s death or those who observed a male cycling in the Kildarra area during the early hours to come forward. Gardaí are particularly interested in any dash-cam footage from road users in the vicinity. Witnesses can contact Bandon Garda Station at 023 885 2200 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.

As investigations into both incidents unfold, local communities are left in shock, grappling with the loss and the urgent need for answers. Stay tuned for further updates on these developing stories.

UPDATE: A catastrophic flash flood has hit Dromcollogher on the Cork-Limerick border, leaving the community in turmoil. The severe downpour, which struck around 7 PM on October 15, 2023, inundated the area with at least two feet of water, making roads impassable and resulting in significant damage to homes.

Emergency services sprang into action as the intense rainfall lasted for approximately two hours, causing widespread chaos. Local council leader, Cllr Michael Collins, reported that access to the village was cut off from 9 PM Sunday night, with estimates indicating up to 20 homes may have been affected. “It’s shocking,” Collins expressed, recalling the calm before the storm just hours earlier.

The Limerick City and County Council confirmed that emergency operations commenced shortly after receiving distress calls. Road teams, bolstered by three fire crews from nearby towns, worked tirelessly to distribute sandbags to protect vulnerable properties. Local farmers received support as water pumps were deployed to mitigate the flooding’s impact.

As the situation unfolded, a coordinated pumping operation was established to lower water levels surrounding the Dromcollogher Respite Centre. Thankfully, water levels began to recede naturally, allowing fire crews to stand down by 2 AM on October 16, 2023. Nevertheless, council staff remain in the area to continue assessing the situation and provide assistance.

All roads are now reported to be open, but motorists are urged to exercise caution while navigating the affected areas. Cllr Collins revealed that he has contacted Intreo services in hopes of designating impacted streets, such as Woodfield, for humanitarian aid. He emphasized the need for residents to apply for assistance as the community begins to recover.

While temporary accommodation has not been deemed necessary due to the swift receding of floodwaters, the emotional toll on residents is palpable. Many are left grappling with the aftermath of the unprecedented flooding. “We have seen unprecedented levels of rain in a short period of time. The area just couldn’t take it,” Collins added, reflecting the community’s shock.

Residents and those needing support are encouraged to reach out to Limerick City and County Council at 061 556000 for assistance.

This urgent situation is still developing. Stay tuned for further updates as the Dromcollogher community begins the daunting cleanup process in the wake of this devastating flash flooding.

UPDATE: A man in his thirties has been hospitalized following a serious road traffic incident in Croagh, Limerick, just after 5 PM yesterday evening. The motorist is currently receiving treatment for serious, but non-life threatening injuries, according to Gardaí and emergency services on the scene.

The collision involved two vehicles, including a van, which reportedly overturned. Fortunately, the vehicles did not collide with each other, but both were severely damaged in the incident. Witnesses reported a chaotic scene as emergency crews rushed to assist those involved.

Authorities are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. As of now, details remain limited, but officials are expected to provide further updates as the investigation unfolds.

This incident raises concerns about road safety in the area, and local residents are urged to remain vigilant. The community is rallying support for the injured motorist, hoping for a swift recovery.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.

BREAKING: An application has been lodged to officially decommission the Derrybrien Wind Farm in South Galway, marking a significant turning point in a saga that has spanned nearly two decades. The wind farm, embroiled in legal troubles, has cost Ireland approximately €20 million in EU fines since its inception.

The controversy began in 2003 when a landslide at the site led to devastating environmental harm, including the death of over 50,000 fish. An EU court later ruled that the wind farm, which consists of 70 turbines, was constructed without a valid environmental impact assessment. This resulted in a hefty fine, compounded by a daily penalty of €15,000 for ongoing non-compliance.

After ceasing electricity generation in 2022, the wind farm’s future has been in jeopardy. Despite various high-profile campaigns aimed at preserving Derrybrien, it has become increasingly clear that the facility is beyond rehabilitation.

In a decisive move, the ESB has applied to An Coimisiun Pleanala for permission to decommission the wind farm. Additionally, the application includes a request to retain certain elements of the project, such as concrete foundations and access tracks.

The timeline for a decision remains uncertain, with expectations that it may not be addressed until next year. As this situation unfolds, the implications for environmental policy and energy production in Ireland are profound.

Stay tuned for updates as we continue to monitor this developing story.