A Catholic Church-funded counselling organisation that has been distributing leaflets which could give information on abortion ifacilities in the UK was raised at a meeting of the Irish Bishops' Conference, writes Eithne Donnellan.
The distribution of the leaflets by Cura was brought up by the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, at the March meeting of the Irish Episcopal Conference.
A spokeswoman for Dr Martin said yesterday the archbishop asked for more detailed information on Cura's policy to be provided at the next meeting of the conference in June.
The leaflet has been distributed by Cura on behalf of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency (CPA) for some time. Olive Braiden, chairwoman of the agency, said the wording on the Positive Options leaflet had been agreed with the agencies that would distribute it, including Cura.
Cork man on IRA charge
A Cork man was charged with possessing firearms and ammunition and being a member of an illegal organisation at a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court in Dublin on Saturday. Niall Smith (30), of Adelaide Terrace, Summerhill North, Cork, was charged with the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol and one round of ammunition at Barrack St, Cork on May 5th.
He was also charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA, on the same date.
Mr Smith was remanded in custody until next Wednesday.
Garda thrown over bridge
A garda has been hospitalised for a broken wrist after he was assaulted and thrown over a bridge in Co Monaghan.
He was attacked when he approached a man acting suspiciously at Penny Bridge, Carrickmacross, at 2.30am yesterday morning.
Businessmen acquitted
Four Ennis-based businessmen have been cleared by a jury of falsely imprisoning a 29-year old Limerick man who stole from their company. At Ennis Circuit Court on Friday night, a jury delivered a unanimous not guilty verdict against the four men: Cyril Whelan (43), Simon Whelan (29), Kieran Dromey (39) and Maurice Shanahan (40) of Crystal Tiles Wholesale Ltd, Quin Road Business Park, Ennis.
The four were acquitted of the false imprisonment of former purchasing manager Marcus McNamara on December 21st, 2002.
No deal on Curtin, says McDowell
The Government has no intention of negotiating a deal with Circuit Court judge Brian Curtin, Minister for Justice Michael McDowell insisted last night. The judge last week lost a High Court challenge to the committee and procedure established by the Oireacthas to investigate his alleged misbehaviour. He was acquited of a charge of possessing child pornography.
On RTÉ's The Week in Politics, Mr McDowell said Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte had claimed that once the local elections were over a large settlement would be agreed with the judge, but he insisted that there would be no deal and the committee would continue its work.