A round-up of today's other stories in brief.
Garda base opened at Knock airport
A permanent Garda base has been officially opened at Ireland West Airport Knock.
Manned by eight officers - one sergeant and seven gardaí - the new unit will ensure a full-time Garda presence and immigration unit at the airport, which will have a passenger throughput of 700,000 this year.
Chief Supt Tony McNamara, head of Mayo Garda division, said at yesterday's official opening that it had been a huge imposition on the division to provide a service at the growing airport.
"I am aware of the potential for trafficking of human beings and drugs. These are areas which are difficult to control. We will now be able to provide a more secure service."
Carmel Kilcoyne, operations manager at the airport, said the new unit was a major enhancement of passenger safety and security services.
Jury chosen for rape case
A jury has been sworn in for the trial of a Waterford man charged with raping a child about 15 years ago.
The 55-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to two charges of rape and one of sexually assaulting the then primary schoolgirl between January 11th, 1993, and December 31st, 1995, in a shed. The case is scheduled to start today.
Man jailed for pharmacy theft
A Wicklow man who stole €120 worth of medication from a pharmacy after breaking into the building has been jailed for three years by Judge Michael White at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
John Cash (31), Dargle Road Lower, Bray, pleaded guilty to burglary to the pharmacy on Church Road, in Greystones, Co Wicklow on October 24th, 2006.
The case had been adjourned previously to allow Cash to attempt to deal with his heroin addiction by attending Coolmine Drug Treatment Centre, but he has had to increase his methadone since a remand in custody because he was craving the drugs more.
Judge White had indicated that if Cash had been able to deal with his addiction, he would have suspended the sentence on strict conditions but he said as Cash had failed to do so, he had to impose a three-year jail term.
Woman to be tried for murder
Galway woman Una Black is to go on trial for murder in May after failing to turn up at court for her original trial date. Ms Black (26) from Bishop O'Donnell Road - and formerly of Walter Macken Flats in Mervue - is accused of the murder of John Malone at Walter Macken flats in December 2006.
She was arrested in Rosslare, Co Wexford, on Friday after going to Wales the day before her trial was due to start in Galway last week.
Mr Justice Paul Carney set a new date for her trial on May 26th and refused to consider a later date as she would be seven months pregnant at the time. She has been remanded in custody until the trial.
Six million cigarettes seized
Revenue officers at Waterford Port seized more than six million cigarettes at the weekend, it has emerged. The cigarettes were concealed in a container that arrived from Zeebrugge, Belgium.The total value of the haul is set at €2.1 million.
New dean at NUI Galway
NUI Galway has appointed Dr Pat Morgan to the newly created position of dean of graduate studies. Dr Morgan has previously served as dean of college of science at the college.