A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Men held over robbery ordeal for family
Three men were being questioned by gardaí in Co Clare last night following an attempted robbery at a house in Sixmilebridge during which a family was threatened and assaulted. The incident occurred at about
12.50am at a house in Ballycullen, Sixmilebridge. Gardaí say three men broke into the house with the intention of stealing a car.
It is understood they threatened a 16-year-old girl, telling her they would shoot her.
New District Court duties
District Court judge Mary Martin has been appointed to preside over court sittings in her native town of Nenagh, Co Tipperary. She will replace former sitting judge Michael Reilly on January 1st.
Her appointment coincides with a reform of court areas which will see her preside at extra District Court sittings in Nenagh as well as sittings at Athlone, Ballinasloe, Birr, Borrisokane, Kilcormac and Loughrea.
Man charged over stolen rifle
A 31-year-old man was charged yesterday at Carlow District Court with handling a stolen sawn-off rifle. Keith Moran, New Oak Estate, Carlow, was arrested after gardaí raided an apartment at Cathedral Close, Carlow, and discovered a firearm stolen in November 2007.
More serious charges were expected, the court heard. Mr Moran was remanded on his own bail of €500 to appear again on November 19th.
Man died after raid by gardaí
A 22-year-old man who died following a raid on his house by the Drugs Squad died from "cocaine, alcohol and lignocaine intoxication during restraint", Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster told an inquest in Cork heard yesterday.
David O'Mahoney became ill while gardaí searched the house where he was staying at McSweeney Villas, off Blarney Street, Gurranabraher on November 14th, 2007. He was taken to Cork University Hospital but died a short time later.
The matter was referred to the office of the Garda Ombudsman. Yesterday, commissioner with the Garda Ombudsman Commission, Conor Brady, made an application to have the inquest into Mr O'Mahony's death adjourned. The inquest was adjourned to March 5th, 2009 for mention.
Bound man died after beating
A 73-year-old Cork man died as a result of being beaten in the chest and neck and tied up, an inquest in Cork heard yesterday. Christopher (Gussie) Hornibrook was found dead in his house at Templeacre Avenue, Gurranabraher by his brother on November 6th, 2007. His hands had been tied behind his back.
Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster said the cause of death was a combination of blunt force trauma to the chest and neck with restraint asphyxia associated with severe heart disease.
Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane adjourned the matter until March 5th, 2009.
Driver jailed for ramming car
A 26-YEAR-OLD man charged in connection with ramming a car numerous times on a busy city thoroughfare was jailed for four months yesterday. Michael Stokes, who has an address outside of
Waterford, was also disqualified from driving for two years at Waterford District Court.
Stokes, who is in custody over another matter, appeared on a charge of dangerous driving.
Gardaí said the incident is related to a dispute within the Travelling community.