RADIO KILKENNY
12.45pm News AUgust 26th
A man has died in a fire on High Street. Gardai have confirmed to Radio Kilkenny news that the fire occurred at Wellington Square on High Street.
The fire service was called and a man was found in the first floor apartment. He was pronounced dead at 2.25am this morning. It is not yet known if the man was local.
There were no other injuries and the scene is preserved for a technical examination.
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The number of people seeking help for cocaine and heroin use in the southeast has increased according to a report published by the HSE.
The report confirms that an additional fifty three people sought treatment for cocaine addiction in counties Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford, Carlow, and Tipperary South last year.
One hundred and fifty four people were treated for abusing the substance, cocaine, in the region in 2007 compared with 101 in 2006.
The number of people being treated for heroin abuse also rose to two hundred and thirty six in 2007.
Glanbia have acquired an American based Nurtition company.
Optimum nutrition is an Illinois based company which produces nutritional supplements for the sports sector.
The two hundred and thirteen million euro acquisition was acquired from Glanbia's existing bank finance.
Optimum is privately owned and has three operating facilities located in Ill-in-ois, South Carolina and Florida employing three hundred and eighty seven people.
Last year, Optimum generated sales worth one hundred and twenty five million euro and an operating profit of twenty two million euro.
Small firms around the country including Kilkenny lose five point three million days every year due to sick employees.
According to a report by the Small Firms Association, a total of five point three million days were lost last year.
The national average for absenteeism is eight days. However, the call centre sector recorded the highest with fourteen days per year.
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The Meningitis Foundation has invited people of Kilkenny to skydive to raise money for their charity.
The foundation is asking people to sign up for a ten thousand feet sponsored skydive. The money raised will help the charity in funding research, promoting education and awareness.
The Meningitis Foundation can be contacted on 01 819 6931.
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Arthritis Ireland is encouraging Kilkenny people to support their National Raffle.
Tickets are priced at two euro and more information can be found on their website-www.arthritisireland.ie.
In the last year, Arthritis Ireland have helped over fifty thousand arthritis suffers improve their quality of life.
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The Heritage Week continues here in Kilkenny.
Events taking place in the city today are
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The second series of Kilkenny Life and Lore
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Historic Images from St. John's Parish
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Free guided tours of Kilkenny Castle.
In Sports news.
Kilkenny's Intermediate hurlers are gearing up for their All Ireland Final clash with Limerick in Semple Stadium.
Throw in is at 3.30 on Saturday.
The U17s also play this Saturday in the inter county hurling tournament. The play Cork in Mallow at 11.30am.
The Irish Olympic team arrive home today. Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Martin Cullen will be among to dignitaries to welcome them home.
The team are due into Dublin Airport at 5pm this evening.
In soccer news
The Friday night fixture between Freshford and Dean Celtic has been called off.