A round-up of today's other stories in brief.
HSE to seek injunction on pharmacies
The HSE is to apply to the High Court next week for an injunction restraining nine pharmacies from "wrongly" refusing to provide "critical" services from May 1st next under the Community Pharmacy Contractor agreement.
Similar orders are likely to be sought against hundreds of other pharmacies that have indicated they too may withdraw from the contract as part of what the HSE claims is an "orchestrated campaign" by pharmacies arising from the HSE's plan to reduce prices paid to pharmacies for drugs under the scheme.
Mr Justice Peter Kelly granted leave yesterday to serve short notice of the injunction proceedings against nine pharmacies. He returned the matter to Monday.
Warning over malaria increase
The national Health Protection Surveillance Centre yesterday warned people travelling to countries where malaria is common that they must take necessary medication to prevent them from contracting the disease.
The warning today on World Malaria Day comes following a record number of cases of the disease in Ireland in recent years. Latest figures show 96 cases were notified in Ireland in 2006, more than double that recorded the previous year. A number of those affected were children.
Foley attack suspect released
A man being questioned by gardaí in connection with a gun attack on Dublin criminal Martin Foley was released without charge from Crumlin Garda station yesterday.
Mr Foley was wounded several times in Kimmage, south Dublin, in January. The 55-year-old survived the gun attack and called out the name of his attacker at the scene.
On Monday, a man in his 20s was arrested at a house in Ballyfermot. He is not the chief suspect in the case and gardaí are following a definite line of inquiry. A file is being prepared for the DPP.
Burlington hotel reopens
The 500-room Burlington Hotel in Dublin 4 reopened its doors yesterday, following its closure last January.
The hotel, which is part of the New Great Southern Hotel Group, was acquired by Glasbay Ltd, a consortium headed by property developer Bernard McNamara for €288 million in March 2007.
The hotel's bar and lobby have been refurbished and the facilities in the 1,300-delegate conference centre have been upgraded.
Journalist for Arts Council post
Former financial journalist Seán Mac Cárthaigh has been appointed director of public affairs at the Arts Council. Mr Mac Cárthaigh had recently been working as managing editor of the Irish Echoin New York, having previously worked for the Sunday Business Post, The Irish Times, and the Irish News.