Amalgamating Limerick city and county councils has had its issues, but it should result in better local administration, writes Mid-West Correspondent Jimmy Woulfe

The battle for the hearts and minds of Limerick shoppers began in earnest back in 2011, when the local authority devised a scheme to entice new retailers into the city centre

Limerick bananas with spider eggs attached, the Sinn Féin MEP convicted of speeding, an insight into Roy Keane's management style, a maths quiz and a new Ed Sheeran song. These are some of the latest and most read news on irishexaminer.com this lunchtime

A psychiatric nurse who was injured when boxes of Weetabix breakfast cereal fell on her in Tesco has been awarded €135,000 in damages.

Veteran Limerick rugby broadcaster Len Dineen will embark on a contrasting double assignment on this evening when he contends with the raucous roar of Thomond Park followed by the serene sounds of Perry Como during a marathon stint at the microphone.

People are being urged to have their blood pressure checked in order to reduce the risk of stroke.

Kerry and Mayo fans travelling to Limerick for Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC semi-final replay are being advised to travel early as the city will be thronged for one of the biggest gay, lesbian and transgender parades ever organised in this country.

City centre traders in Limerick yesterday lodged an objection to a planning application for a €100m shopping centre proposed for the Dublin Rd suburbs.

Limerick City and County Council is in advanced talks with a major US multinational about leasing part of County Hall.

An increasing number of businesses are closing down in Limerick.

Little did they realise when they set up a mortgage for their €270k three-bed semi seven years ago that they could be heading for a legal battle for the very driveways to their homes.

HMV returns to the Irish high street today.

Over €300,000 in fees and expenses have been paid to the receiver of HMV Ireland since the Irish arm of the retail music giant went out of business eight months ago.

The new owners of HMV have announced plans to open concessions in Xtra-vision stores.

Four HMV stores, three of which are in Dublin, will reopen by the end of the first week in September.

A judge has told a motorist who forcibly removed a clamp from his car that it would have been cheaper to buy a parking disc — as it eventually ended up costing the motorist €550.

The son of a Fianna Fáil TD had to be subdued by gardaí with a shot from a taser gun when he violently resisted arrest after driving at speed through a pedestrian crossing that was in use at the time.

Almost 400 job losses were confirmed in two of the country’s largest retailers, HMV and B&Q, yesterday.

As HMV staff await wages they have been promised, it has been reported that major media companies will offer support to any buyer willing to rescue the ailing retailer.

Staff in two branches of HMV in Limerick have said they will continue their sit-in until they are paid what they are owed.

Staff in two Limerick branches of HMV began sit-ins last night, demanding written assurances that they will receive all their entitlements.

Limerick gardaí say they are satisfied a girl aged 14, had sex with a 17-year-old in a van, parked at the city’s Crescent Shopping Centre.

Limerick ICA members are due to visit the European Parliament offices on Thurs, Feb 23.

TWO known sex offenders, one of whom was previously jailed for a serious sex attack, were in custody in Limerick last night following a shoot-out in which a Garda car was rammed.

A BOY stole 25 cars in six months, a court heard.

FOR an asking price of €220,000, No 11 Clonbeg, Church Hill Meadows, Raheen, in Limerick offers spacious well cared for accommodation.

LIMERICK City Council has been called on to carry out an urgent inspection of the site of the on-hold Opera (Shopping) Centre in the city centre as may of the buildings there are over 100 years old and have been unoccupied for years.

MOVES are under way to find a compromise between councillors and city hall management over proposals to provide a dedicated bus lane on Limerick’s busiest city route.

RESIDENTS opposed to a new bus lane being developed on a key Limerick city route are expected to pack a specially convened meeting of Limerick City Council this afternoon, when a vote will be taken.

FAILURE to introduce controversial new bus routes in Limerick would have a negative impact on the future economic competitiveness of the city and region, the local Chamber of Commerce has warned.

MANAGEMENT at Limerick City Council are determined to face down moves by elected council members who want to block the provision of a key bus lane into the city centre.

BUS Éireann estimates the opening of a new green bus route on a busy Limerick city two-mile route could generate, through increased fares, hundreds of thousands of euro every year.

DESPITE trenchant opposition by residents, Limerick City Council is pressing ahead with the development of bus lanes from the county boundary at the Crescent Shopping Centre in Dooradoyle into the city centre through Ballinacurra and O’Connell Avenue.

LIMERICK City Council has reiterated its determination to open up more bus lanes into the city centre, despite strong resistance from resident groups.

ANDY LEE’S opponent for Saturday’s Yanjing Fight Night at the UL Sports Arena in Limerick failed to show for yesterday’s head to head at the Crescent Shopping Centre in Dooradoyle.

ANDY LEE will come face to face with Saturday night’s big fight opponent, Mamadou Thiam, for the first time today when they both workout at the Crescent Shopping Centre in Limerick (12 noon-2pm).

BATTLE lines are being drawn in Limerick by residents and the city council over the controversial extension of bus lanes into the city centre from the south side of the city.

BUSINESSMAN Denis Brosnan is to remain as chairman of the Mid-West Task Force.

Pumpkins galore – if you want to find a pumpkin David and Siobhan Barry, Ballintubber Farm have a terrific selection at the Midleton Farmers Market today. Contact 086 8238187.

A RULING by An Bord Pleanála to uphold an objection to expand Limerick’s Crescent Shopping Centre will cost up to 400 retail jobs, it was claimed yesterday.

A MALAYSIAN woman who alleged that her supervisor in a Limerick cafe called her “blackie” and compared her to a black handbag has been awarded €15,000 compensation by the Equality Tribunal.

LIMERICK City Council have been warned their persistence in opposing a huge suburban shopping development will cost 2,000 jobs and €10 million in lost revenue.

LIMERICK City Council have agreed to give the go-ahead for a massive €350 million city centre retail complex, which will be known as the Opera Centre.

TWO teenage girls, one from the north and one from Wexford, were last night being cared for by the HSE in Limerick.