Today's other regional news in brief
Man jailed over death of friend
A motorist who had consumed nearly three times the legal alcohol limit when he crashed and killed his friend was sentenced to two years in prison, at Wexford Circuit Court.
David Stenning, (30), Coolree, Clonard, Co Wexford, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of 21-year-old Ciarán O’Dowd at Ballycogley on September 7th, 2007.
Judge Alice Doyle said she had to take into account mitigating evidence – especially that Stenning had saved the O’Dowd family the trauma of a trial by pleading guilty.
Judge Doyle imposed a three-year prison sentence but suspended the final year. She also disqualified Stenning from driving for four years.
O’Dea to testify in accusation case
Minister of Defence Willie O'Dea will give evidence in a court case for the second time today when a man convicted of making a false statement about him launches an appeal against the conviction, writes Kathryn Hayes.
Matt Larkin, Thomondgate, Limerick, claimed in court last year that Mr O’Dea had punched him several times in the stomach and grabbed him by the throat in the Bank Bar on O’Connell Street in Limerick on September 22nd, 2007. The 35-year-old was given a three-month suspended jail sentence at Limerick District Court last September after he was found guilty of making a false statement to gardaí about the alleged incident.
Mr O’Dea, who gave evidence at the time, vehemently denied the claims and Judge Tom O’Donnell convicted Mr Larkin after describing the case as one of the “most bizarre cases” he had ever come across.
Lifeboat rescues two from cruiser
Two people were rescued by the Lough Derg lifeboat yesterday after their cruiser went aground near Cahir Island in Scarriff Bay. The crew were able to get the cruiser off the rocks and towed it to clear water. The lifeboat then accompanied the vessel back to Mountshannon harbour.
Cancer survivor launches single
A Limerick mother and cancer survivor will launch a new single tomorrow in a major fundraising drive to raise €150,000 for the breast unit at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital.
Julie-Anne Dineen from Corbally in Limerick city, is hoping her new single Do You Believewill be top of the Irish charts for Mother's Day on March 22nd next in "honour of all the Irish women who have died from cancer".