RADIO KILKENNY
Lunchtime News: 19th August 2008
A major clean up operation is still taking place all around the county after serious flooding over the weekend. Leinster and parts of Munster were the worst affected areas after downpours caused severe flooding. Gardai and the Road Safety Authority are advising motorists to still exercise caution on the roads today as Met Eireann are predicting continuing rain and more flood risks.
Pat Grogan of the local branch of The Carer's Association, spoke on Radio Kilkenny's disability show, Managing Differences last night. He urged that any carer's in the Kilkenny area should come forward and avail of the service. Nominations are now being accepted for the Carer of the Year awards. Closing date is September the 5th.
Kilkenny's Taxi Drivers can voice their anger over the new taxi rank situation in Kilkenny this Wednesday, as a meeting has been called to discuss the problem. The works at the Parade have disrupted the city's usual taxi rank, locating them to other areas around Kilkenny.
NATO foreign ministers meet in Brussels later today to discuss the crisis in Georgia.
A senior US official said the US would call on NATO members to consider suspending ministerial meetings with Moscow to press Russia to respect the peace deal on Georgia.
Reports say Russian troops and tanks are still deployed in several areas of the country, despite assertions that the withdrawal had begun.
However, Russian and Georgian forces have reportedly exchanged prisoners in a gesture of good will.
Hundreds of mourners turned out for the funeral of Ronnie Drew, which took place in Co Wicklow this morning.
President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Brian Cowen were represented at the funeral Mass by their aides de camps
The surviving members of the Dubliners as well as U2 manager Paul McGuinness, and singer Shane McGowan were among those present.