A round-up of other stories in brief
Challenge to NI language law allowed
A man has won permission in the High Court in Belfast to challenge a law stopping him from applying in Irish for a drinks licence.
Caoimhin Mac Giolla Cathain wants the permit for a music concert he is organising at the Culturlann centre on the Falls Road.
He is currently prohibited from making any application not in English under the Administration of Justice (Language) Act Ireland 1737.
But at the High Court yesterday Mr Mac Giolla Cathain was granted leave to seek a judicial review of the Northern Ireland Court Service's refusal to deal with his application.
His lawyers argued the legislation was incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights and his freedom to access to the courts.
They also claimed it was at odds with the British government's commitment to the European Charter for Regional Minority Languages.
Mr Justice Weatherup ruled it could be argued that Mr Mac Giolla Cathain's right to access the courts had been interfered with.
Pointing out that the applicant was challenging primary legislation, Mr Justice Weatherup put the case in for a full judicial review hearing in September.
Oil laundering appeal succeeds
The Court of Criminal Appeal (CCA) has overturned the conviction and two-year jail sentence imposed on a man for allegedly running an illegal oil laundering operation.
Martin Joyce (38), Dunsink Lane, Finglas, Dublin, was jailed after being convicted last May of running the operation at a commercial premises in Primatestown, Co Meath, in August 14th 2003.
Mr Joyce appealed the conviction to the CCA on several grounds including that the warrant used to search the site was invalid because the judge who granted it was not physically present in his District Court area when he issued it. Judge John Brophy is the resident judge for District Court Area No. 10 (covering Co Meath) but lives in the Dublin Metropolitan District area. His courts were on vacation in August when gardaí went to his home to ask him to sign the warrant.
The CCA, with Ms Justice Fidelma Macken presiding and sitting with Mr Justice Roderick Murphy and Mr Justice Eamon de Valera, said the Supreme Court had previously ruled that unless a District Court judge was "sitting" in the sense of "being physically present" in his court area, he did not have the power to issue search warrants.
Support plan for ex-UDR members
Britain's most senior military figure has unveiled a £2 million per year support service for former members of the Ulster Defence Regiment and Royal Irish Regiment, writes Dan Keenan.
Sir Richard Dannett launched the service which will help former locally-recruited soldiers adjust to civilian life and come to terms with the legacy of the Troubles.
Col Mark Campbell, a project trustee, said support services were also needed to assist troops from Northern Ireland who are returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Pope sends air messages
Pope Benedict XVI has sent the President, Mary McAleese, a goodwill message while flying over Ireland en route to the Vatican following his visit to the US.
The telegram, released yesterday by the Catholic Communications Office, reads: "Entering Irish airspace en route to Rome after my visit to the United States and the United Nations organisation, I renew my greetings to your excellency and cordially invoke upon all the beloved Irish people God's abundant blessings."
Similar messages were sent by the pope as his aircraft passed through the airspace of Canada and other European countries.