A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Man charged over attack on Irish national
Police in Australia have charged a man (30) over the serious assault of a young Cork man who remains in a coma after being badly beaten near his apartment at Coogee in Sydney in August.
New South Wales Police said the man, from Bankstown, Sydney, was charged with one count each of attempted murder and aggravated robbery with wounding. He was refused bail and is due to appear in court today.
The man's girlfriend (19) was also arrested and charged with hindering police and concealing a serious offence. She was granted bail.
David Keohane (29) received such severe injuries that it took two days to identify him. Given the extent of the injuries, police initially thought Mr Keohane had been slashed with a knife. He has since had facial reconstruction surgery.
He was taken home to Cork on September 15th after a series of fundraising events to cover the cost.
Inquiry launched into road death
Gardaí in Wexford are investigating a single-vehicle fatal road traffic crash which occurred yesterday morning. A car struck a wall at Ballylfinoge, Piercestown, Co Wexford, resulting in the death of a 17-year-old female passenger.
The driver of the car, a 21-year-old woman, was taken to Wexford General Hospital.
Irish observers join Georgia mission
Four Irish observers are among a 200-member group of personnel from the EU that yesterday began monitoring a ceasefire between Georgia and Russia in Georgia.
The four include two former members of the Defence Forces, one academic and a Russian speaking expert on the region. The mission has a budget of €35 million and a year-long timeframe.
Wife beater gets two months in jail
A father of three who beat his wife in a public square has been sentenced to two months in prison for a public order offence.
"Savagery of the first order," is how Judge John Neilan described the behaviour of James Keenan (36), Clontarf Road, Tullamore, Co Offaly, who pleaded guilty to threatening, abusive or violent behaviour at Tullamore District Court.
Insp Kieran Keyes told the court how a member of the public contacted gardaí after seeing Keenan involved in an argument with his wife when he "lashed out and boxed her in the eye". He was then seen to put her in a headlock and punch her three or four times.
The woman made a statement to gardaí but later withdrew it. There was no charge of assault brought against Keenan but in imposing a sentence of two months, Judge Neilan said he would have had no hesitation in imposing 22 months if there had been sufficient prosecutions before him.
Over 80 exhibits for Wexford fringe
Historical tours, live music, over 80 art exhibitions and a host of singing pubs will be among the major attractions at the Wexford Fringe Festival which begins later this month.
More than 250 events are scheduled. They include a performance of Oliverby the Oyster Lane Theatre Group, comedy from Jarlath Regan, and live music from Jack L and Rebecca Storm.
The festival runs alongside the Wexford Opera Festival from Thursday, October 16th, until Sunday, November 2nd.
Colm O' Gorman to publish memoir
Human rights campaigner and childhood victim of clerical sex abuse Colm O'Gorman will publish his memoir next year.
Hodder and Stoughton publishing house made the announcement yesterday, saying writer Caroline Wood would shadow-write the manuscript.