A round-up of today's Irish news stories in brief
Truck driver not guilty of driving dangerously
A truck driver has been acquitted of dangerous driving causing the death of a motorised wheelchair user who collided with his tipper truck at a Dublin junction.
Jason McWeeney (34), Tamerisk Park, Tallaght, had pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving causing the death of Alan Dempsey at the junction of Cappagh Road and Cardiffsbridge Road, Finglas, on July 10th, 2006.
The jury reached its verdict on day 11 of the trial following 4½ hours of deliberation.
Judge Desmond Hogan thanked the jurors, six men and six women, for their attention throughout the “harrowing” trial.
Dangerous driving appeal dismissed
The Court of Criminal Appeal has dismissed an appeal by a Co Limerick man against his conviction for dangerous driving causing the death of a teenage girl.
Gearóid Cleary (26), Ballincurra Gardens, Limerick, was one of two drivers jailed at Limerick Circuit Court last year for his role in a three-car crash which caused the death of Emma Woodland in September 2006.
Cleary was convicted in June 2008 and jailed for four years.
Garda slashed during robbery
A Garda received facial injuries when he attempted to prevent a shop robbery on South Circular Road in Dublin yesterday evening.
The injured Garda, who is in his early 30s, was taken to St James’ Hospital.
The plainclothes Garda, who was on duty, was passing the shop when he saw a man jump over the counter and threaten staff. The Garda confronted the man and received a slash to the face.
The suspect is described as 6 ft high with a thin build and was described as wearing a lot of layers and a Balaclava.
Body of Mayo man taken from Rotterdam canal
The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the body of missing Irishman Noel Gill has been found in the Dutch city of Rotterdam, writes Éanna Ó Caollaí.
Mr Gill (31) was last seen by a Dutch friend crossing a bridge in the city as he walked home on November 19th between 4am and 4.30am.
Originally from Westport, Co Mayo, Mr Gill had been living and working in Rotterdam.
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said his body was recovered from a canal in Rotterdam on Sunday.
The Irish Embassy in The Hague was immediately notified. The embassy is providing consular assistance to Mr Gill’s family, and is assisting with the arrangements for his repatriation.
Businessmen sued over alleged default
Three businessmen are being sued by another businessman for more than €21 million over alleged default on a €10 million loan, repayable over three years at a rate of 30 per cent interest a year, which was advanced to assist in buying lands at Millennium Park, Co Kildare.
Dermot O’Rourke, who is himself being pursued by Bank of Scotland Ireland for more than €16.5 million over unpaid loans to a property company, has brought his action against Thomas Considine, Oranmore, Co Galway; Patrick Sweeney, Loughrea, Co Galway, and Gerard Prendergast, Naas, Co Kildare.
The case arises from the sale in August 2006 of lands at Millennium Park by Mr O’Rourke and Gerry Conlan to the defendants.
Mr Justice Peter Kelly admitted the case to the Commercial Court and adjourned it to Friday.
Man (26) charged with fall death
A man was charged last night in connection with the death of a man who was found dead after falling from the ninth floor of a Belfast city centre block of flats early on Saturday morning.
The 26-year-old will appear in Belfast Magistrates Court this morning.
The police launched a murder inquiry after James Murray (19), originally from Ballymun, Dublin, was found dead in the courtyard of the flats at King Street at about 6am.
Mr Murray came to Belfast from Dublin four months ago to live with his natural father and his partner at Glendowan Grove in Lagmore in west Belfast.
He was studying at a local technical college.
A 22-year-old woman who was also arrested was released unconditionally, police said.