A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Attempted murder jury to resume today
The jury in the trial of a man accused of attempted murder in Drogheda went home last night following two and a half hours of deliberations. The trial will resume this morning.
Albert Byrne (41) of Castlemanor, Ballymakenny Road, Drogheda, denies attempting to murder Robert McDonnell (25) at Moneymore, Drogheda, on September 14th, 2006. He also pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to discharging a firearm, and possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life.
Ex-biochemist to seek legal costs
A date for hearing an application for payment of the legal costs of the former principal biochemist in the Blood Transfusion Service Board relating to the infection of women with Hepatitis C will be set in June.
Charges against Cecily Cunningham (66) of Hollybrook Road, Clontarf, were dropped by the State in January at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Judge Katherine Delahunt listed the case for mention in June when a hearing date will be set. The only other person charged in connection with the Hepatitis C saga was Dr Terry Walsh, formerly assistant national director with the BTSB, but these proceedings collapsed on his death.
Youth in court over Glock pistol
A 19-year-old youth has appeared in court following the discovery of a Glock pistol which gardaí claim was the property of a Limerick criminal gang. Michael O’Callaghan, of Newtown, Clonlara, Co Clare, is charged with possession of the Glock pistol, at his home on March 29th.
Gardaí objected to his bail at Limerick District Court yesterday because of the serious nature of the charge and alleged the gun belonged to a Limerick criminal gang.
Judge Tom O’Donnell remanded Mr O’Callaghan in court until April 8th next when he is due to appear before the same court again.
Aviation body case settled
A woman who served as deputy head of economic affairs at the Commission for Aviation Regulation has settled her High Court proceedings in which she alleged her contract was not renewed because the commissioner, Cathal Guiomard, had a “vendetta” against her.
Anne Moloney, Richmond Lodge, Convent Avenue, Dublin had brought her action against the commission arising out of the decision in April 2006 not to renew her contract. She had commenced work in February 2001 on a salary of €100,000.
She sought a number of declarations including she had a legitimate expectation her contract would be renewed at the expiry of the five-year fixed-term contract period.