Dublin Airport Reintroduces Aer Lingus Flights to Minneapolis

Dublin Airport has officially reinstated Aer Lingus’ direct service to Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, a route that will now operate four times weekly. This relaunch is part of the airport’s broader initiative to expand its North American flight offerings and bolster connections between Ireland and the United States.

Gary McLean, Managing Director of Dublin Airport, expressed enthusiasm about the route’s return, highlighting its benefits for tourism and economic engagement. “The reintroduction of the Minneapolis-St. Paul service not only strengthens our transatlantic network but also reaffirms our commitment to enhancing tourism and trade with the US. This is a key development in our ongoing partnership with Aer Lingus to grow its presence in North America,” McLean stated.

The route provides direct access to Minneapolis-St. Paul, known for its dynamic cultural scene, stunning lakes, and exceptional dining experiences. Additionally, the city serves as a convenient gateway for travelers looking to explore further into the UK, Europe, and other North American destinations.

An added advantage for passengers traveling from Dublin to Minneapolis-St. Paul is the availability of US Pre Clearance facilities at Dublin Airport. This allows travelers to complete all necessary immigration and customs checks before departure, ensuring a smoother and quicker entry into the United States, where the only remaining queue is for a taxi to their final destination.

The renewed service is set to enhance the travel experience for passengers and further develop the strong cultural and economic ties between Ireland and the United States.

Two Minneapolis police officers were awarded the MPD Medal of Valor on Tuesday for saving a young boy’s life last year.

Sgt. Jeremy Depies and Officer Ashley Bergersen were both working on Sunday, Nov. 26 when a call came in that a young child had fallen through the ice.

“I didn’t think it was real at first,” said Bergersen, who was working as a field training officer that day.

She rushed to Bryn Mawr Meadows Park, where Sgt. Depies was already running towards the water. He’d been doing a ride-along, showing a civilian city parks, when he got the call.

4-year-old boy in critical condition a day after water rescue at Minneapolis park

“I was in the right place at the right time and just arrived on scene at the moment I needed to be there,” he said.

Depies told us he arrived to the scene within 30 seconds, where a little girl told him her brother was in the water.

“I went down to the ice, ran down there and I saw his snow pants sticking up out of the water,” he said. “I knew he was in there longer than he’d ever be able to hold his breath.”

Depies ran into the water with Bergersen right behind him.

“I told myself to feel light as a feather on that ice because I could see that the ice was not thick at all, might have been an inch, if that,” she said. “I just ran as fast and as far as I could to the hole to get Eli.”

Bergersen added, “[I thought] we gotta get him out now or he’s not going to survive.”

Instinct took over for both of them.

“This isn’t anything that either one of us has been trained to do,” said Depies. “In that moment, it didn’t matter, I had to figure out a way to get Eli out of the water.”

Bergersen carried the little boy out of the water and handed him off to her partner, who raced him to the pavement. They started CPR and called for an ambulance.

Bergersen went with the four-year-old to the hospital, where she met his mother.

“The first thing I did when I saw her was I knelt down next to her and gave her a hug,” she said.

After speaking with the child’s mother, she determined he’d been in the water for about six minutes before they arrived.

The four-year-old survived and met his heroes in the weeks that followed.

“Eli’s a fun-loving kid and super great to spend time with,” said Depies

“Amazing to see him walking and talking now, it’s surreal,” said Bergersen. “I am glad that I was working that day, that I was able to respond to that specific call and that I had enough courage to jump into that pond. It was an instinct. I just thought if that was my son, I sure hope someone would go in and save them.”

It was 2 o’clock in the afternoon on April 30, 2021, when Ladavionne Garrett Jr. was shot in north Minneapolis while in his family’s car.

“The pain is so deep from three years,” said grandmother Sharrie Jennings. “This baby still lives with a bullet in his head.”

The case remains unsolved.

Ladavionne Garrett Jr. released from hospital months after being shot in head

“Someone has lived with this secret for three years,” Jennings said.

During that time, Ladavionne has had many health struggles, including not being able to walk or talk. His family says he’s still able to squeeze his grandmother’s hand.

The family said Ladavionne, now 13, has another brain surgery planned for the next month.

“For someone to take his life from him, and do this life to him, this is unfair, that is so unfair,” Jennings said.

After months of fundraising, the family purchased a van to get him around to appointments.

Jennings says he’s doing great this year in school, but each day can be long.

“I have not got a full night’s sleep in three years because I have to make sure he’s still breathing,” Jennings said. “I have to make sure he’s OK. He can’t pull up the cover on him if it falls off.”

Meanwhile, the family waits for an arrest to come.

“I’m not going to stop. I’m not going to stop fighting for him,” Jennings said.

“This date brings to mind the tragic shootings of three young lives in April and May of 2021,” a Minneapolis Police Department spokesperson said in a statement. “While justice has occurred in the shooting of Trinity Ottoson-Smith, investigators continue to work with the available evidence in the shooting of Ladavionne Garrett Jr. and the murder of Aniya Allen.”

Family gathers with Minneapolis police to call for tips in 6-year-old girl’s murder

If you have any information about Ladavionne or Aniya’s cases reach out to Crime Stoppers of Minnesota at 800-222-8477 or by submitting an anonymous tip online.