More news in brief.
Man in hospital after stand-off with gardaí
A man in his 30s was receiving treatment in Beaumont Hospital last night after he injured himself following a stand-off with gardaí in Swords, Dublin.
Gardaí were contacted at about 3.30pm and told a man in Swords Business Park had threatened to harm himself.
A Garda critical incident management plan was put in place and the scene was attended by various sections of An Garda Síochána. Personnel included a negotiating team and members of the Emergency Response Unit.
Dublin Fire Brigade and ambulance crews attended as gardaí negotiated with the man, who was armed with a sharp weapon. It is understood the incident happened outside a DIY store.
"At 9pm this evening the incident concluded when the man was overpowered by gardaí. During the course of this he inflicted injury to himself," a Garda statement said. The man was taken to Beaumont, where his injuries were described as "serious".
Priesthood one of God's unique gifts, says bishop
Priesthood is one of God's unique gifts to the world, Bishop Willie Walsh of Killaloe has said.
In a pastoral letter to mark Priesthood Sunday - part of the "Year of Vocation" for the Catholic Church in Ireland - the Bishop acknowledged that over the past 20 years there had been a significant decline in the numbers of young people entering priesthood and religious life.
"The reasons for this are manifold. Among them are a weakening of faith, smaller families, Church scandals, emphasis on material goods.
"The reality is that the call to priesthood and religious life is very challenging for our young people today," the bishop said in his letter.
However, priesthood was "one of Gods unique gifts to the world", he said.
"I look back on almost 50 years of priesthood as a very fulfilling time for me. Yes, there have been times of pain and struggle, but what life is spared pain or struggle?
"I have no hesitation in recommending this way of life - as a religious sister, as a religious brother or as a priest - to anyone who is discerning their life's direction," the bishop said.
"I invite parents to encourage such generosity. I ask all of you to pray that more will respond to God's call."
Tickets for the Electric Picnic festival in 2009 will go on sale next week, organisers said today. Just weeks after the three-day extravaganza in Stradbally, Co Laois, came to a close, planning is already under way for the follow-up.
Tickets for 2009 Electric Picnic to go on sale next week
POD Concerts and Aiken Promotions remain tight-lipped about whom they are targeting for next year's line-up but believe tickets will again sell out.
A limited number, unspecified by the promoters, are being released on the Ticketmaster website on Friday, October 10th, at a special "early bird" price of €199. The price is the same as last year's early bird rate which was a €41 saving on the full price of €240.
Family rates are also available at €398, which admits two adults and up to four children under 12 years, with access to the designated family campsite.
Next year's event takes place at Stradbally Hall on September 4th, 5th and 6th.
Gardaí seek help in finding Syrian
Gardaí at Carlingford, Co Louth, are seeking the public's assistance in locating the whereabouts of Ahmad Baki (27).
The Syrian national is a crew member of a ship which docked at Greenore, Co Louth, on Thursday of last week.
However he failed to board the ship for departure to Hamburg on Saturday .
Mr Baki is described as being 170cm (5ft 7in), with short black straight hair. He has brown eyes and is clean shaven.