Johnny's staying at home on Paddy's Day

Unlike many of his counterparts across the country, Westmeath County Council's cathaoirleach Cllr Johnny Penrose is staying at home for St Patrick's Day.

Cllr Penrose told the Westmeath Examiner that "we were never brought up with trips abroad" and that he had no intention of travelling anywhere for the annual celebration of all things Irish.

The Labour man added that "it is up to the chairman" to decide whether to go abroad and that he'd "rather be in Mullingar" on March 17.