METRO Wednesday, September 30, 2009 D Ziad Abi Nakhoul left, winner of the first Irish Coffee in Good Spirits competition in the RDS Simmonscourt; right Sebastien Patry also taking part in the competition yesterday Picture: Brian McEvoy Caffeine hit METRODigest LIMERICK is to play host to some of the top graffiti artists in the world this weekend, as the first ever international graffiti session to take place in Ireland is hosted in the city. More than 20 artists from across Europe will gather in the citys Skate Park for the Just Writing My Name graffiti jam, hosted by the OConnell Street-based graffiti shop South Central LK and Montana Cans, a European spray-paint supplier. Two of the worlds most famous graffiti artists, Klark Kent and Cantwo, will be among those travelling to the city for the event. A MAN was fighting for his life in hospital last night after being shot on a Co Wicklow farm. A man who was arrested at the scene at Tree Wells in Aughrim, was being questioned. The victim, aged in his fifties, was hit once in the upper body by the shotgun blast shortly before 4.30pm yesterday afternoon. He was taken to St Vincents Hospital in Dublin where his condition was described as critical. The man arrested at the scene, who is in his twenties, is being held at Arklow Garda station under section 30 of the Offences Against The State Act. There was no sign of a break in and garda sources have indicated that the incident is suspected of being domestic-related. Wicklow farm shooting victim is critical INVESTMENTS in a financial services company and luxury bathroom firm will create 90 jobs, Tnaiste Mary Coughlan announced yesterday. Butterfield Fulcrum, a fund administration business, will create 40 jobs over three years at its Dublin office, supporting investment schemes in Ireland or offshore, including valuation, accounting, transfers and a share registry. Two former owners of a bathroom suite firm which went bust earlier this year have invested in a new business, Inver Bathrooms. John OLoughlin and John Byrne, from the closed Qualceram Shires firm, will take on 50 staff at its Wicklow base to distribute and market suites in Ireland, the UK, the Gulf states and the US. 90 jobs to be created with two firms Denise Fitzgerald, fundraiser with Temple Street Childrens Hospital, and Ikeas Lisa OBrien as the hospital announced a partnership with the furniture giant yesterday Picture: Fennells A GRIEVING mother who spent six years raising funds for a childrens hospice in memory of her two daughters saw the first rewards of her work yesterday. As construction began on LauraLynn House, the Republics first childrens hospice, Jane McKenna said it was a day of mixed emotions. Mrs McKenna and her husband Brendan set up a foundation in 2003 after their daughters, Laura and Lynn, died within 20 months of each other. Due to open in early 2011, the LauraLynn House will be the only healthcare unit in the country to offer community-based paediatric care. People have been amazing, but I wish it was for a different reason, said Mrs McKenna. Mothers hospice vision a step closer A MAN was yesterday arrested over the murder of Limerick businessman Roy Collins. The man, in his twenties, was detained in a garda operation in the Meelick area of Co Clare just before 9am. Father-of-two Mr Collins was shot dead at his family-run Coin Castle amusement arcade at the Roxboro Shopping Centre on April 9. James Dillon, 23, of no fixed address, has already been charged over the murder and is in custody awaiting trial. Files have also been prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions for a man and woman who were detained in the days after the murder of the 25- year-old. The arrested man was being questioned at Roxboro Garda Station under section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act and can be held for seven days. Man held over father-of-twos killing THE HEALTH Service Executive has said a Fine Gael claim that the number of cancelled operations has increased by 27 per cent on last years figures is not an accurate reflection on the level of activity in hospitals. Fine Gaels Dr James Reilly (pictured) said 8,935 operations have been cancelled in Ireland in the first six months of 2009, a 27 per cent increase on figures for the same period in 2008. However, the HSE said that the level of cancellations in Ireland is broadly in line with other hospital systems internationally. HSE defends cancellations Strike threat in 3.5% pay claimBy CoN DoheRtyONE OF Irelands biggest unions demanded a 3.5 per cent pay rise for health care workers yesterday, threatening strikes unless the gov- ernment shows willingness to agree. Ireland is looking to squeeze 4billion in savings from the 2010 budget to tackle the worst public finances in the euro zone. Siptu, which represents 200,000 workers around Ireland, said health care workers should not be asked to bear the burden of the government cutbacks and it demanded a pay rise for 34,000 nurses, paramedics and other employees. In February the Government introduced an effective pay cut via a pension levy on public- sector workers, also freezing pay increases promised under an earlier national agreement with unions and employers. It is Siptus position that our members have voted in favour of a national agreement and that the terms of the agreement must be im- plemented without delay, Siptu Health Services branch organiser Paul Bell said. The union has sanctioned indus- trial action if the Health Service Ex- ecutive refuses to engage with the union on implementation of the in- crease, Siptu said. On Monday, Siptu president Jack OConnor said he believed some in- dustrial action was inevitable amid growing anger over the govern- ments handling of one of the west- ern worlds worst recessions. Leaders of Siptu and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions are also taking part today in a protest march to the parliament building against the proposed cutbacks. METROe-MaiL US at: mail@metroireland.ie TELL What do you think of whats going on in the news? or do you have a witty view on the bizarre little things in life? We want to hear from you for Irelands liveliest letters page index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html