A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
€24,500 rent claim against Celtic Bookmakers struck out
A €24,500 claim for rent arrears against Ivan Yates and his wife, Deirdre Boyd, trading as Celtic Bookmakers, has been struck out in the Circuit Civil Court. The action had been entered by landlord David Mellon, Eton House, Terenure Road North, Dublin, in respect of rent relating to a Celtic office.
Yates, a bookmaker, broadcaster and former government minister, of Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, has conceded he faces financial ruin after the betting chain was placed in receivership.
Circuit Court president Mr Justice Matthew Deery was told yesterday the claim could be struck out. The court was not told if the arrears had been paid or if the matter would be dealt with on the basis of part payment by receiver Neil Hughes.
Man threatened witness in case
A jury has convicted a Limerick man who threatened a witness in an upcoming case while he was with his wife and young children.
Brian Collopy (38), St Senan Street, St Mary’s Park, Limerick, and Ballysimon, Co Limerick, denied intimidating Willie Moran at Island Road, Limerick, on June 9th last.
The court heard Collopy made the shape of a gun with his hand and shouted: “Willie, you are going to get it now.”
The jury took less than an hour to arrive at its unanimous verdict. Collopy is due to be sentenced on February 1st.
Extradition ruling due over crash
The High Court will rule next month whether to extradite a Dublin man to Hungary in connection with a road traffic incident that caused the deaths of two children outside Budapest more than 10 years ago.
Ciaran Tobin (46), Offington Drive, Sutton, was sentenced in his absence to 18 months’ jail for negligent driving causing the deaths of Marton (5) and Petra Zotlai (2) in April 2000. Mr Tobin is contesting the application for his surrender. Mr Justice Michael Peart said he hoped to rule on February 11th.