More news in brief.
Two-day strike to close Derry airport
Derry city airport will be closed today and tomorrow after local government workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland embarked on a two-day strike in pursuit of a 6 per cent pay award.
As well as the closure of the airport, the strike will affect bin collections, road cleaning and other local services.
Derry airport is owned by the city council and caters for over 400,000 passengers each year.
Local government workers throughout Northern Ireland, England and Wales were recently offered a 2.45 per cent increase. A union official said the offer was completely unacceptable.
Limerick man dies in Alaska
A Limerick man, who was a soldier in the United States army and had just returned from Iraq, has died in an accident in Anchorage, Alaska.
The body of Edward Byrnes (36), Granville Park, Limerick city, was found under a bridge last Friday.
Police are investigating the possibility that Mr Byrnes, who was new to the area, may have underestimated the height of the bridge as he tried to retrieve his hat.
It is believed Mr Byrnes had been based in Fort Richardson, Anchorage, since last month and was last seen out with friends on Thursday night at 11pm.
Inquiry into major fish kill
The Department of Environment in Northern Ireland is trying to establish if a sewage leak was responsible for the deaths of more than 500 fish, mainly brown trout, on the Ballymoney Burn, Co Antrim.
The river, a popular spot with anglers, was recently stocked with brown trout, many of which are now dead.
Fishery experts estimate it will take between five and seven years for the river to recover.
Meatloaf back on menu in Donegal
Rocker Meatloaf last night pulled out of a concert in Bundoran, Co Donegal, leaving up to 4,000 fans disappointed.
A statement on behalf of the 60-year-old musician and organisers of the Bundoran Live festival said the show will take place tonight instead. Those unable to attend it tonight will have their ticket money refunded.
Risk of action on autism delay
The Government is risking legal action over its failure to honour commitments to autistic children under the Disability Act 2005, autism campaigners have warned.
An obligation to assess children within three months of a referral and to report back on that assessment within six months was not being met, Jacinta Walsh of Irish Autism Action told an Oireachtas health committee yesterday.