A High Court hearing in the challenge to the results of last year's general election in two constituencies is likely to be held in early October.
In the High Court yesterday, directions were made in relation to the lodging of documents. Mr Justice Kelly indicated that he was considering having the full hearing on October 7th.
Petitions have been brought by Labour's Mr Nicky Kelly, who was narrowly defeated for a seat in Wicklow, and Ms Kathryn Sinnott, a campaigner for rights and disabled, who was unsuccessful in Cork South Central. They are seeking declarations that the elections there are void and that the court should order new elections. It is alleged there was overspending by some candidates in the two constituencies.
Mr Justice Kelly listed the case for hearing again on August 13th and ordered that the records and ballot papers in the constituencies be maintained pending the determination of the proceedings.
Prison officers attacked in Dublin
Three prison officers were treated in hospital yesterday after being attacked while escorting a van-load of prisoners in Dublin. Two of the officers suffered scrapes from a syringe and another was bitten on the neck during an escape attempt in city-centre traffic.
One prisoner produced a blood-filled syringe and threatened the officers. He told them to remove his chains or else he would stab them. As officers tried to calm him down, another prisoner wrapped his chain around an officer's neck. In the ensuing struggle, the three prison officers were injured.
They were taken to the Mater Hospital. Prison sources said they would require HIV and hepatitis testing. At the time of the attack there were seven prisoners in the van and 11 staff.
Homeless man fined for hotel stay
A €100 fine was yesterday imposed on a homeless man who conned his way into having a bath and some wine in the five-star Hayfield Manor Hotel in Cork city. Jason Healy (29), Burns Terrace, Glasgow, said he had nowhere else to go.
The defendant fooled a member of staff into believing he was a hotel resident and got a key for a bedroom. He helped himself to an expensive bottle of wine from the mini-bar and ran a hot bath, before donning a grey tracksuit of the room's resident - a woman. Healy was caught leaving the hotel with a suitcase of her clothing.
At Cork District Court, Judge Uinseann Mac Gruairc noted that Healy had been sleeping rough before the incident and was far from home.
Man assaulted boy in train station
A Co Antrim man who sexually assaulted a 12-year-old boy he met in a toilet at Heuston station, Dublin, has been remanded in custody for sentence by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Andrew McCoy (27), Stiles, Co Antrim, pleaded guilty to sexual assault on November 26th, 2002. He has 16 previous convictions in Northern Ireland for offences including drugs and assault. Judge Desmond Hogan adjourned sentence to October 30th with McCoy in custody.