Other regional news in brief
Publican challenges licence ban
A publican who claims a District Judge exceeded her powers by banning him from holding a liquor licence for 10 years has secured leave from the High Court to challenge the decision.
PJ Carey, former proprietor of the Old Oak, (formerly PJ's Place) Sarsfield Street, Killmallock, Co Limerick, claims Judge Mary O'Halloran exceeded her jurisdiction on July 4th last when she imposed a €500 fine and a 10-year ban for trading without a licence.
In applying for leave to challenge that decision in judicial review proceedings, Carol O'Kennedy SC, said her client had pleaded guilty to the offence at Killmallock District Court on that date.
The offence was under section 7 of the 1924 Intoxicating Liquor (General) Act for which the maximum fine permissible was £50 (€63.50). There was also no jurisdiction under that law to disqualify a person from holding a licence, Ms O'Kennedy argued.
Mr Justice John Edwards granted leave to seek the review and made the case returnable for mention later this month.
Teenager had sex with juvenile
A Kildare teenager will be sentenced later at the Central Criminal Court for having sex with a 14-year-old girl. The now 19-year-old youth pleaded guilty to having sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 15 in a shed in a Kildare town on the night of June 29th-30th, 2006.
Mr Justice Paul Carney remanded him on continuing bail for sentence later, on the application of , Patrick Gageby SC, defending, and after noting that the prosecution had no objection.
He also directed, on the application of prosecuting counsel, that a victim impact statement be prepared.
TD's assault trial starts today
The trial of a Fianna Fáil TD charged with assaulting two men is due to get under way at a special court sitting today. Mattie McGrath, TD for South Tipperary, is to appear before Clonmel Circuit Court along with five other men, including his son Edmond, in connection with an alleged incident close to his home in August 2006.
Mr McGrath (50), Garreneasy, Newcastle, Co Tipperary, has pleaded not guilty to two charges of assault. The trial, which will be held before a jury, is expected to last up to three weeks.
Work begins on pedestrian bridge
Work has begun on a €1 million pedestrian bridge designed on the concept of a fishing rod. The bridge, planned to cross the river Moy in Ballina, Co Mayo, at the Ridgepool beat, has been funded by the Social and Economic Fund and is part of a plan to market Ballina as the salmon capital of Ireland.
The North Western Regional Fisheries Board had initially objected to the bridge on the grounds that casting fishing lines could endanger the public.
Attack on elderly man investigated
Gardaí in Co Limerick are investigating an attack on an elderly man on Halloween night. The 72-year-old was set upon by a gang of youths in the village of Athea after he tried to confront them about throwing firecrackers under cars. The pensioner was kicked in the head several times, resulting in broken teeth and a broken nose, according to gardaí.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses.
Man killed in crash named
Gardaí have named the motorcyclist killed in a crash on Saturday as Barry Murphy (27), Anneville Crescent, Dundalk, Co Louth.