.A round-up of today's other stories in brief
INTO withholds co-operation on jobless teachers working for free
Primary teachers’ union the INTO is to direct members to withhold co-operation with a scheme which could see unemployed teachers working for free in schools, writes Seán Flynn. The scheme, run by Fás, was announced in November by Tánaiste and Minister for Education Mary Coughlan
The decision was taken at a weekend conference in Croke Park and was backed by virtually all 800 delegates. Union general secretary Sheila Nunan later said she was not surprised by the decision.
She said it reflected anger at a 14 per cent cut in new teachers’ pay, proposed reductions to pension benefit and widespread teacher unemployment among graduates and that there was unanimous condemnation of the Tánaiste’s claim it was a major initiative to help the unemployed.
The conference also saw the first education debate of the electoral campaign.
Garda appeal on Dublin assault
Gardaí in Dublin are seeking witnesses to a serious assault that left a man in a critical condition.
The incident, which occurred just before 10.30pm last Friday outside the Irish Life Mall building on Lower Abbey Street, involved two men, one in his late 20s and the other in his early 30s. The man in his 20s was seriously injured and removed to the Mater hospital. His condition is described as critical.
Anyone who was on a number 33 bus nearby, or anyone else in the vicinity, between 10.15pm and 10.30pm on Friday, is asked to contact any Garda station.
Funeral of GAA hurler in Galway
Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral of a GAA star killed in a car crash in Co Galway.
Barry Shiel (25), who was buried yesterday, was the second member of the Tommy Larkins team which played in an All-Ireland hurling final this weekend three years ago to be killed in a car crash.
Mr Shiel, a plasterer from Kylebrack, Woodford, Co Galway, died from injuries sustained in a single-vehicle incident close to his home last Monday.
The driver of the car was also taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Search for man seen falling into river
Rescue agencies were searching for a man seen falling into the river Corrib in Galway city. The Irish Coast Guard Shannon-based helicopter, the Galway inshore lifeboat, local gardaí and fire brigade staff were involved in the search.
Believed to be in his 50s, the man was seen below Salmon Weir bridge.
DPP to get file on paramedic's death
Gardaí say a file will be sent to the DPP by the end of this week in relation to the death of a paramedic who fell from a moving ambulance.
Simon Sexton (43), a father of six, from Stradone, Co Cavan, died on June 3rd last year. It appears he had been checking the side door of the ambulance when he fell out.
After the incident, the side doors on a number of ambulances were taped up to prevent their use. The HSE, the Garda and the Health and Safety Authority have begun investigations. Some of the locks on ambulance doors have reportedly been replaced but the HSE would not confirm this or the number of vehicles involved.
Some emergency medical technicians have expressed concern about vehicles without the new locks.
“We are very frightened at only having the rear doors to exit by,” one technician said. “It seems like the HSE is using faulty vehicles and has blocked one of the exits in them.”
Motorcyclist dies in crash in Sligo
A 30-year-old motorcyclist died when the motorbike he was riding collided with a car in Co Sligo yesterday evening.
The crash occurred at about 5.30pm on the N17 between Tubbercurry and Charlestown. The man was taken to Sligo General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Meanwhile, the man who died in a crash in Limavady, Co Derry, on Saturday has been named as Ronald Moore (22).