Six Irish beaches have lost their blue-flag status this year, according to the latest list published by the Department of the Environment.

A SPLENDID four-year-old gelding, Woodfield Indy, won the ridden hunter championship at the 92nd Dungarvan Show for Rosemary Connors, Woodstown, Co Waterford.

A DIP in water quality because of last summer’s heavy rain is being blamed for a downturn in the amount of Irish beaches receiving blue flag awards.

A CRACKDOWN on unlicensed dogs has been launched in Waterford with a dog warden set to call door to door as part of a blitz.

LAST year’s wet summer is being blamed for a downturn in the number of bathing areas meeting EU quality targets.

THE latest chapter in the story of a small rural community’s commitment to cancer care has been written with the handover of a cheque for €33,854 to the Waterford Hospice Movement.

Neans McSweeney

A MULTI-MILLION euro sewerage scheme under construction in Dungarvan, Co Waterford took a major battering during the recent storms, a detailed report into the damage caused by the floods revealed yesterday.

PEOPLE who drive motorcycles should get training — no matter how skilled they think they are, or how long they have been riding bikes.

A COTTAGE that has been a full-time residence for generations could well be snapped up as a holiday home because of its ideal location.