The Playground Recovery Fund for Strokestown Playground was set up after the facility was closed due to vandalism last April.

A life-size bronze sculpture titled 'The Gift' which commemorates the generous aid provided by the Choctaw Nation to Ireland during the Famine was unveiled this morning.

The Court of Appeal heard they committed 'the most barbaric of violations of human rights', as their convictions were upheld.

Their trial heard that a group of armed men smashed their way into a house at a recently repossessed rural property at Falsk, just outside Strokestown, Co Roscommon at around 5am on December 16, 2018.  

There was a burglary and an attempted break-in in two properties on the outskirts of Strokestown between 1pm and 3pm.

Local community activist Emmett Corcoran says it's a big boost to the town.

Three men were each sentenced to 15 years in prison in connection with an attack on security guards at a repossessed house in Falsk, Strokestown.

The official opening takes place in Strokestown Park House at 7pm this evening.