A roundup of today's other regional news in brief
Sentencing later over rape of boys
A former top amateur boxing coach and convicted child abuser will be sentenced later for rape and sexual assault of five teenage boys over a 13-year period.
Frank Mulligan (63), Mulladuff, Smithboro, Co Monaghan, made some of his victims pray before and after the sex attacks, which he claimed were “God’s will”.
Mulligan pleaded guilty to buggery of three boys and sexual and indecent assault of two others between January 1989 and July 2002.
Council co-option challenge rejected
The High Court has rejected a challenge to the constitutionality of laws providing for the co-opting of people to fill vacancies on local councils.
Patrick O’Doherty, Turret Street, Ballingarry, Limerick, had claimed the Constitution only provides for directly elected local authorities.
Mr Justice George Birmingham said that in 1999, a referendum was passed which provided for a law to be brought in to deal with casual vacancies on councils.
Massereene murders accused refused bail
A man accused of murdering two soldiers was refused High Court bail yesterday after a judge heard the killings were among the most serious crimes committed in Northern Ireland in the last 10 years.
Mr Justice Ronald Weatherup ruled that Colin Duffy should remain in custody due to the gravity of the offences and the continued threat posed by the dissident faction held responsible.
Despite stressing the presumption of innocence, the judge held that the balance fell in favour of protecting the public.
He said: “It is a very serious matter which resulted in the loss of two lives and there is a group, this Real IRA, which appears intent on repeating this loss of life being inflicted on others.”
Mr Duffy (41), Forest Glade, Lurgan, Co Armagh, is charged with the murders of sappers Mark Quinsey (23) and Patrick Azimkar (21) at the gates of Massereene army barracks in Antrim in March.
Man died from toxic level of methadone
A man who was found collapsed in the bathroom died from a toxic level of methadone, an inquest in Dublin heard.
Brian Tyrell (45), Bunratty Avenue, Coolock, Dublin, was found unconscious in the bathroom by his daughter, Catherine, on the evening of December 30th, 2008.
Mr Tyrell was living in a hostel at the time and used his brother’s address. He arrived at the family home and went to bed. He was later found collapsed.
Coroner Dr Brian Farrell expressed his condolences to the family and recorded a verdict of death by misadventure.
Game show complaints upheld
All 16 complaints upheld by the Broadcasting Complaints Commission in its latest report involve the controversial Play TV game show aired on TV3.
The late-night premium-rate show encourages viewers to phone in and solve puzzles to win money. Calls cost €1.50, whether the caller is put through to the studio or not. The BCC described the quiz as “unfair” and “misleading” and said there was a lack of transparency about being connected to the open line in the studio. One complainant said it was “a grossly unfair method of entering a competition, whereby you ring in, answer a simple question and then get cut off 99.99 per cent of the time without the entry being recorded or entered”.
Measles vaccine plea as child fights for life
A child was last night battling for life after contracting pneumonia after an outbreak of measles, health chiefs have confirmed.
The HSE has urged parents to make sure children are vaccinated against measles. Medics raised concerns that the outbreak, which started in August, could spread among unprotected young.
Dr Suzanne Cotter, a specialist in public health medicine, said 11 cases had been reported this month, bringing the total to 75 so far this year.
Call to clarify child access after divorce
Many grandparents believe it would be beneficial to have a clearer understanding of what access they would have to their grandchildren should their children separate or get divorced, according to a new study.
The study by the Social Policy and Ageing Research Centre in Trinity College Dublin found some grandparents experienced a sense of powerlessness as they have no contact with their grandchildren following their child’s separation.
It said the support grandparents provide is frequently the linchpin to successful transitions for children and grandchildren after divorce or separation.