More news in brief.
Compensation for staff in fight at centre
Two former workers at a religious order's centre who were involved in a fight that resulted in one having a piece of his nose bitten off, have been awarded compensation by the Employment Appeal Tribunal.
Both men were employed on the maintenance staff of the Daughters of Charity's St Vincent's Centre, on the Navan Road in Dublin, which provides care for people with intellectual disabilities.
Both were found to have been unfairly dismissed by the centre over a fight which they had with one another.
Michael Shadlow of St John's Avenue, Naas, Co Kildare - who had a piece of his nose bitten off in the fight - was awarded €28,000 compensation and Anthony Casey, Collins Avenue West, Donnycarney, was awarded €20,000.
The tribunal said the investigation into the fight "was carried out in a vacuum and in an improper and unfair manner".
Human rights lawyer praised
President Mary McAleese yesterday paid tribute to a Syrian lawyer currently serving a five-and-a-half year prison sentence, praising his courageous work in the area of human rights, writes Mary Fitzgerald.
Mrs McAleese was speaking at the annual Front Line Award event held to honour human rights defenders at risk.
This year's award went to imprisoned Syrian lawyer Anwar al-Bunni and was accepted on his behalf by his wife Raghda Issa Refki at a ceremony at Dublin's City Hall.
Funeral for fire victims
The twin brothers who died in a house fire in Waterford will be buried after a service in Tramore tomorrow.
Identical twins Michael and Richard Walsh (33) were found dead on Wednesday morning by a friend at their ground floor city apartment in Canada Street, Waterford.
Originally from Kilbride in the county, the pair had been living at the rented property for some weeks prior to their deaths.
Donegal's best April for 34 years
Last month was the sunniest April in northern Donegal for 34 years, but overall the country was forced to endure a mixture of snow, frequent thunderstorms, hail showers, frost and fog.
That is according to Met Éireann's monthly weather summary, which also indicated that temperatures of between 7 and 9 degrees generally were the lowest for April for up to eight years.
New courses for union officials
New courses to help shop stewards and union officials become more effective in their roles are to be run by three of the country's biggest unions.
Siptu, Impact and the TEEU, which represent more than 360,000 workers, are co-ordinating the new training initiative and formed Union Learning Network Limited (ULN) in a joint venture.
The ULN involves a two year programme for up to 700 full-time union officials and other members to empower them and enable them to "become better organisers and workplace representatives".
Details were unveiled yesterday at Siptu's Liberty Hall centre.
Hospital lifts restrictions
Visiting restrictions which were put in place due to an outbreak of the vomiting bug at Bantry General Hospital, Co Cork have been lifted.
But hospital management have stressed that normal visiting times should be strictly adhered to because the bug is still very prevalent in the community.
People are advised not to attend emergency departments if showing symptoms.
Developers pay authorities €78m
Local authorities have received €78 million from property developers under legislation designed to boost the provision of social and affordable housing. Under 2007 legislation, builders are required to keep 20 per cent of developments for social and affordable housing, but some local authorities have accepted payments in lieu of this.