Midlands Daily

OFFALY’S SHANE LOWRY WINS THE IRISH OPEN

Shane Lowry has claimed the 2026 Amgen Irish Open in sensational fashion, securing victory by a record 11 shots at Doonbeg.

The Offaly man finished on 23 under par to lift the Irish Open trophy for the second time, 17 years after his famous victory as an amateur in 2009.

A huge day for Lowry and for Offaly👏

Full story: https://offalydaily.ie/2026/09/13/shane-lowry-wins-2026-irish-open/

Offaly Daily

🌹 Westmeath Rose crowned Rose of Tralee 2026

Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh has been crowned the 2026 Rose of Tralee.

The Westmeath Rose shared her alopecia journey during Monday night’s show, removing her wig on stage while speaking openly about hair loss and beauty standards.

Ní Choiligh, who is studying wig making and runs hair loss support group The Hair Loss Haven, said after being crowned: “I’m actually speechless.”

Congratulations Caoilfhinn! 🌹

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ESB CEO Gets €92,000 Pay Rise Following Government Approval

The chief executive of the ESB, Paddy Hayes, has been granted a pay increase of almost €92,000 following Government approval.

His annual salary has increased from €318,083 to €410,000, representing a rise of around 29%.

According to the ESB, the increase reflects the size and complexity of the organisation's operations.

The company also said it is the first salary increase for the role since 2011 and follows an independent review of executive pay across commercial State bodies.

The increase was approved by Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers following a recommendation from Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien.

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Driver Sought After Serious Hit-and-Run in Co. Laois

A man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s remain in hospital with serious injuries following a hit-and-run collision on the L7797 at Moat, near Ballinakill, Co. Laois, on Friday night.

The driver of the second vehicle left the scene, and Gardaí are continuing their efforts to identify and locate the person involved.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has dashcam footage from the area between 10pm and 11pm is urged to contact Abbeyleix Garda Station on (057) 873 0580, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Midlands Daily

BREAKING: Mayo End 75-Year Wait With Dramatic Win Over Kerry

📍Offaly: Edenderry Garda Station Closes After Two Gardaí Become Unwell

Edenderry Garda Station has closed after two gardaí became unwell while handling seized v**e products on Wednesday evening, July 22.

The products had been seized from a commercial premises during an ongoing investigation and were being processed at the station when the incident occurred.

Both gardaí were taken to hospital for medical assessment. Gardaí say welfare support is being provided to the officers and their families.

The station will remain closed while specialist examinations and a deep clean are carried out.

In the meantime, policing services for the Edenderry area will operate from Tullamore Garda Station.

Source: RTÉ News
Photo: Google Street View

📍Offaly: Four Armed Intruders Flee After Edenderry Farmer Takes Action

An Edenderry family say they have been left "terrified" after four masked intruders targeted their home in the early hours of July 11.

Speaking to RTÉ Radio 1's Kieran Cuddihy on Liveline, Edenderry man Seamus Farrell described how home security sensors alerted him to movement outside his property.

"Four of them going down my driveway, hammers, an axe, bolt cutters, you name it."

Mr Farrell said he believed one of the intruders had positioned himself behind a pillar.

"One of them actually stood behind my pillar and if I came out I was getting a hammer in the head."

Fearing for his family's safety, Mr Farrell retrieved his legally held sh***un before going outside and firing a warning shot into the air.

"I got up, got dressed and went out the front door and I let out a shot in the air, and four of them bolted across the yard into the trees."

He told Liveline he believes the same group had previously targeted his home earlier this year.

"Same crowd here before, Feb/March last year."

Mr Farrell said he also fired a warning shot during that incident, causing the group to flee.

Following the latest incident, he said he went onto the road after the intruders.

"I went onto the road, I let my gun down like an eejit, they came at me with a van, they sped off, no lights on, that was it."

Describing the impact the incident has had on his family, Mr Farrell said:

"We're in fear of our lives."

He added:
"This gang is capable of anything."

Mr Farrell also revealed that his son had received threatening messages before the incident.

He told Liveline that the messages were sent by an individual from Edenderry and warned:

"We are going to be in your room tonight. We are coming to get you."

Mr Farrell was also critical of the Garda response after the incident, telling Liveline he contacted Tullamore Garda Station seeking reassurance for his family.

"I rang Tullamore and got a lovely guard. He said there's a squad car going around Edenderry, I will put them onto you and get them to ring you."

Mr Farrell said Gardaí later informed him they were dealing with another incident.

"Five minutes later they ring me and say we are going to a dispute in a house. I said, 'Will you park outside my house? We are terrified.'

And they said, 'We haven't the resources for that. You may ring 999 if anything happens.'

'That turned my stomach. I had to go out and sit in the car all night."

The incident remains under investigation.

Source & Screengrab : RTÉ Radio 1 – Liveline

Major E-Scooter Crackdown Approved

The Government has agreed a series of new measures that would significantly tighten the rules around e-scooters across Ireland.

Under the proposals, anyone under the age of 18 would be banned from using an e-scooter. Helmets and high-visibility clothing will become mandatory from August, while legislation introduced later this year will require e-scooters to be licensed and registered. The sale of e-scooters to minors and non-compliant scooters would also be prohibited.

The Government has also confirmed that an outright ban on e-scooters “remains on the table”.

The proposals come amid growing safety concerns, with more than 1,400 e-scooters seized by Gardaí so far this year. New figures from Children’s Health Ireland also show a sharp rise in serious injuries linked to e-scooter crashes, with admissions for traumatic brain injuries increasing by 50% over the past 12 months.

What do you think of the proposed changes? Should the Government go further, or are these measures enough?

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