The first crime prevention seminar of its type in the country has taken place for deaf people.

THE abduction and rape of two little girls attending a birthday party in Athlone didn’t just send shock waves across the country last year — it graphically highlighted the challenge parents face in trying to warn young children about stranger danger.

Community organisations in west Waterford are to get live information on crimes and suspicious activity as part of a new text alert system.

“He turned when he heard the sound of heavy machinery on the streets of Manchester and that was a high for us.”

After three years of silence, this little Cork boy finally experienced something most of us take for granted — the ability to hear his parents and brothers.

A father of a three-year-old deaf boy yesterday spoke of his family’s disappointment as the activation of his son’s bionic ear has been postponed.

The father of a three-year-old boy, set to undergo pioneering “bionic ear” surgery to cure deafness, has been overwhelmed by the generosity of Vita Cortex workers who diverted cash raised for them to the child’s fund.

GARDAÍ have warned the public to be extra cautious about letting people into their homes after a spate of burglaries in west Waterford, many of which are believed to have been carried out by bogus gardaí, ESB and HSE officials.

THE re-launch of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme will allow for an enhanced police service in the Dungarvan area, gardaí have said.

THE escalation of heroin use in a Co Waterford town has prompted publicans to print 10,000 beer mats listing places where users of the class A drug can get help.

PUBLICANS from all over Co Waterford are to attend a day-long seminar in Dungarvan tomorrow which aims to provide them with information on dealing with difficult situations, using first aid and increasing their knowledge of the effects of drink and drugs.

THIRTEEN per cent of 16-19-year-olds in a rural town have contemplated suicide and 8% claim to have committed self-harm.