In short

A roundup of today's other home news in brief

A roundup of today's other home news in brief

Gardaí continue search where skull found

Gardaí are continuing to search a wooded area in Ballyfolan, Co Wicklow, where a human skull and skeletal remains were discovered last week.

DNA tests are being undertaken to determine if the remains are those of missing Dublin man Paul Byrne.

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Mr Byrne (20), a father of two from Tallaght, was last seen getting into a car outside his home on July 15th, 2009. His family fears he was murdered and his body hidden.

Relatives of Mr Byrne attended the search site at the weekend.

Garda dog teams and technical units have been searching the area for several days following the discovery of a human skull by forestry workers last Thursday.

The skull, which is estimated to belong to a male between the age of 18 and 50, has been sent to the State laboratory for identification.

Charges over July 12th disturbances

A teenager accused of rioting in north Belfast handed himself in to police after his father recognised his photo in the press, a court heard yesterday.

Christopher McKeating (19) is alleged to have travelled across the city to become involved in July 12th trouble which erupted in Ardoyne.

Mr McKeating, Hawthorn Glen, Belfast, faces a charge of riotous assembly in connection with disturbances surrounding a flashpoint Orange Order parade.

He was granted bail under tight conditions, including a ban on going near the Ardoyne shopfronts and on entering the city of Derry.

Mr McKeating attended a police station voluntarily on Saturday after his father spotted him among images police released to the media last week. He denied involvement until he was shown a compilation DVD which allegedly showed him throwing stones, the court heard.

Baby in Germany for eye surgery

An Irish baby born without eyes has made the journey to the Rostock Eye Clinic in Germany accompanied by his parents, for the fourth delicate and painful operation in his short life.

Jacob Nowak from Millstreet, Co Cork, will celebrate his first birthday this month. The baby, whose Polish parents Mariusz and Wiola Novak moved to Ireland in 2006, was born with an extremely rare condition, called Anophthalmus.

The rare condition means his eyes never formed in their sockets before birth. Up to the age of seven, Jacob is expected to undergo surgery about four times a year.

Fundraising is continuing for his surgeries and further details can be found at www.babyjacob.ie

Students to hold rally at famine ship

Students are to highlight the plight of graduates forced to emigrate for work with a rally at the Jeanie Johnstonfamine ship in Dublin.

Members of the Union of Students in Ireland will gather this morning to draw attention to soaring levels of unemployment among college leavers.

Student leaders and graduates of various professions say they plan to board the vessel, docked at Custom House Quay, alongside the International Financial Services Centre. USI president Gary Redmond said they were not prepared to stand idly by as Ireland loses another generation.

Gardaí appeal over missing woman

Gardaí at Clondalkin, Dublin, are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of a woman.

Sonia Dowling (24) has been missing from her home at Clondalkin since June 26th last.

She is described as approximately 5ft 6in, of slight build with black hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Clondalkin Garda station at 666 7600, or the Garda confidential line at 1800 666 111.