A round-up of today's other stories in brief.
Trial of men on drug charges set for May
The trial of four English men charged in connection with the biggest cocaine seizure in the history of the State will go ahead in May when more than 400 witnesses could be called to give evidence, a court was told yesterday.
The men, Perry Wharrie (47), Gerard Hagan (23), Martin Wanden (44) and Joe Daly (40), all with addresses in the UK, each face a total of three charges arising from the discovery of €108 million worth of cocaine off Mizen Head in west Cork on July 2nd.
Yesterday at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, Tom Creed SC, prosecuting, said the prosecution has served the bulk of the evidence already on the accused and the remainder of the documentation will be served shortly by registered post.
He asked for the case to be listed for hearing on May 21st and lawyers for the four men agreed to having the case put back until this date. Judge Patrick Moran granted the application and remanded the accused to appear again on May 21st.
Ahern, Blair to get honorary doctorates
The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and former British prime minister Tony Blair are to receive honorary doctorates from Queen's University Belfast to mark their contribution to peace in Northern Ireland. Two clergymen, the Rev Harold Good and Father Alec Reid, who oversaw IRA arms decommissioning are also to be honoured.
No date has yet been set by Queen's University for the conferring but it is expected the two premiers will be honoured together some time this year. It is thought the ceremony could be held at a time close to this spring's 10th anniversary of the signing of the Belfast Agreement at Stormont.
Broadcasting equipment seized
Broadcasting equipment valued at €70,000 has been seized by gardaí investigating alleged illegal access to cable and digital television services in Dublin. A file is being prepared for the DPP following the discovery in Finglas of the equipment which is used to bypass protected signals, a breach of the regulations of the 1990 Broadcasting Act.
No arrests have been made in connection with the discovery, which saw gardaí assisted by the television service provider UPC, which supplies Chorus and NTL television.
Call for Africa Day event plans
The Government has called on community, academic and cultural organisations to come forward and propose events to mark Africa Day on May 25th.
Irish Aid, the Government's programme of assistance to developing countries, will provide funding to assist the events which will commemorate the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963.
Minister of State for Overseas Development Michael Kitt said the event is "a great opportunity for groups around the country to receive support for events that highlight African culture, diversity and development".
The closing date for applications is February 29th and further information on submitting proposals is available on www.irishaid.gov.ie.