Nifty 250 - Tue, Mar 23: New Cabinet expected today; ‘Beirut’ scenes in Castlebar fight; Cross of Cong to return to Mayo

New Cabinet expected this afternoon

It is expected that Brian Cowen will announce his new Cabinet shortly after the DΡil sits this afternoon at 2.30pm.
Mayo TD Dara Calleary, currently a Junior Minister for Labour Affairs, has been linked with a possible promotion by national media figures.
It is expected that when the DΡil resumes at 2.30pm, it will be adjourned for a short time before the new Cabinet is formally announced.
There will be at least two new faces with Willie O’Dea and Martin Cullen stepping aside from Defence and Arts, Sport and Tourism respectively.


‘Beirut’ type scenes in Castlebar fight

A fight between a man and three women in Castlebar this morning was described ‘like something out of Beirut’ by one eyewitness.
Traffic was backed up for over 20 minutes on Linenhall Street as a man from one car fought with three women from a car behind him.
Eyewitness reports say that an iron bar was used in the row while hurls were used to damage the car belonging to the man.
Gardai took the man away while one of the women was brought away in an ambulance with what one eyewitness described as ‘blood gushing from her face’.
By the time the row ended, a large crowd had gathered to witness the fight.
“There was a lot watching. There were hurls and a small bar used and the man’s car was severely damaged when two of the women went at it with hurls,” said one eyewitness.


Cross of Cong to return to Mayo for first time in 170 years

The historic Cross of Cong will return to Mayo for the first time in 170 years when it is unveiled at the National Museum of Country Life at Turlough Park, Castlebar, next Tuesday.
The Cross of Cong is one of Ireland’s greatest treasures. It was made in 1123 to encase a fragment of the True Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.
The display will be officially unveiled at Turlough Park by the National Museum’s Director Dr Patrick Wallace at 3pm on Tuesday next, March 30.