A county Louth man will appear in court today charged with the sexual assault of a Raleigh Grifter. Thomas Byrne, 39, was arrested by Gardai last week when they found him repeatedly penetrating the end of the rubber handlebar grips.

Three children under the age of ten who were in the bike shop at the time are undergoing counselling at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of the Sweet Crucified Jesus General in Ardee.

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Motorists are being warned to be on the lookout for a gang of youths who are suspected of a series of carjackings in Drogheda. Reports say they wait until a car is stopped at traffic lights before demanding the keys at gunpoint. It is thought they blend into the surroundings, looking exactly like normal passers-by, before they make their move.

A description has been issued and people should be wary of four black men wearing low slung jeans, basketball tops, baseball caps on backwards, gold chains and gleaming white trainers.

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A record crowd is expected at this weekend’s melon bowling contest in Ballymun. The annual event, which raises money for people paralysed by being struck on the head by a melon dropped from the top floor of one of the flats before they got knocked down, promises to be a fun day out for all the family.

Other events will include the Ghost Shopping-trolley, a crack baby sale and a caged happy slapping bout featuring celebrities such as BP Fallon, Gavin Friday and 2FM DJs Rick O’Shea and Josef Fritzl.

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