A round-up of today's other news in brief
'Slab' Murphy makes bid to prevent trial
Prominent republican Thomas “Slab” Murphy is to launch a fresh legal challenge to prevent his trial at the Special Criminal Court for alleged revenue offences.
Mr Murphy (58), Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, is being prosecuted on foot of an investigation by the Criminal Assets Bureau.
The nine charges allege he failed to furnish a return of his income, profits or gains to the collector general or the inspector of taxes for 1996/97 to 2004.
He was returned for trial to the Special Criminal Court last year from Dundalk District Court and he challenged the return at the High Court last November.
The High Court found that Mr Murphy’s rights had been breached, but ruled that the trial should go ahead.
Yesterday, the court heard that Mr Murphy’s legal team is to launch another legal challenge to the trial in the High Court.
The court remanded Mr Murphy on continuing bail until the end of May.
Junior doctors meet over cuts
Junior doctors angry at plans by the Health Service Executive to cut overtime payments and discontinue paying them a range of allowances, including training grants, gathered in Dublin last night for the first of a series of regional meetings to formulate a response to the HSE's proposals, writes Eithne Donnellan.
The HSE also plans to introduce new rosters for the junior doctors, otherwise referred to as non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs).
Dr Matthew Sadlier, chairman of the Irish Medical Organisation’s NCHD committee, said that the HSE circular of January 30th outlining the cost containment measures had taken members by “shock”.
Members were concerned about the manner in which the HSE planned to cut back on junior doctors’ hours and the effect this could have on patient care.
While stressing he did not want to pre-empt the outcome of the NCHD meetings nothing, not even industrial action, was being ruled out.
The other regional meetings take place in Cork tonight, in Tullamore next Tuesday and there is one in Galway the week after.
ESB training plan welcomed
Plans by the ESB to give 400 apprentice electricians made redundant by private- sector employers the chance to complete their training were welcomed yesterday, writes Ciara O'Brien.
Trade union Unite, which represents workers at the State-owned company, said the plan would help workers to complete their training to the “highest standards”.
The utility firm has agreed a programme with Fás to begin offering on-the-job training to redundant apprentices from March. Redundant electrical apprentices on the Fás register will be invited to apply for places.
It is estimated that up to 800 apprentice electricians have been made redundant in the current economic crisis.
Garda appeal over missing girl
Gardaí have appealed for help in the search for a teenage girl who went missing four months ago.
Camilla Becks (13) disappeared from Rathlee, Easkey, Co Sligo, in October 2008. She was seen in Santry, Dublin, on November 23rd. Gardaí believe she is with a female family member and she may be using the name Mandy de Ryk.
The girl, who is originally from the Netherlands, is described as of average build with long blond hair. Anyone with information should contact Ballymote Garda station on (071) 918 9507.
UCD Law Society honour for Heaney
Poet Seamus Heaney has been honoured by the University College Dublin Law Society. The Nobel laureate, who will be 70 this year, was awarded “honorary life membership” last night of the 98-year-old society at a presentation in Belfield.