A round-up of some the day's other news.
Three in court on cash machine scam
Three people living in Dublin have been in court in Belfast following a police investigation into a cash machine scam. The three Romanians were arrested last week following a police warning that card skimming devices were being used at ATMs in the Stranmillis and Dublin Road areas of Belfast. They were charged with going equipped for theft. Sorin Velcu (21) Birchwood Drive, Dublin, was remanded in custody and two 17-year-olds, who cannot be named because they are under 18, were granted bail.
Woman found in river named
Gardaí have confirmed that the body of a woman recovered from the Clare river, Co Galway, on Tuesday was that of Helena English (42), Bray, Co Wicklow. She was reported missing in the Headfort area on December 15th.
Gardai investigate Dublin shooting
Gardaí in Dublin were last night investigating the shooting of a man at approximately 8.20pm on the Grangemore Drive in the Donaghmede area.
The man, who was sitting in a van, was shot by the occupants of a passing vehicle. He was brought to Beaumont Hospital. A spokesman for the hospital last night described his condition as "serious but not life-threatening".
There was no indication last night that the incident was related to recent gangland shootings in the Dublin area.
Tesco recalls fairy lights
Tesco Ireland has issued a product recall notice on three models of its own-brand Christmas fairy lights, after reports from consumers in its British stores that their control units were overheating.
The three models are: Tesco 100 Indoor Multifunction Red Berry Lights, Model No. TS1004R/FW; Tesco 100 Indoor Multifunction Clear Lights, Model No: TS5611GC; and Tesco 200 Indoor Multifunction Clear Lights, Model No:TS5620GC.
Anyone who has one of the above should return it to any Tesco store for a full refund, the spokesman said.
New buses for Dublin
Dublin Bus is to have 20 new double-decker buses by early January, as part of the Government's Transport 21 strategy. The 12-metre long buses are already appearing on selected QBCs and will each carry about 90-seated passengers, with additional standing capacity.
Robbery at Dublin pharmacy
Gardaí at Raheny, Dublin, are investigating a robbery yesterday at a pharmacy at Killester Avenue. A man carrying a knife took the contents of a cash register.