More news in brief
A man was fighting for his life last night after being attacked in Belfast city centre. The victim, aged 23, was assaulted early yesterday in the Dunbar Link on Gordon Street.
He was taken to hospital where his condition was described as critical.
Police have examined the scene and urged any witnesses to come forward. They also appealed for any taxi drivers who witnessed a disturbance to contact them. - (PA)
Family rescued by Kilrush lifeboat
A family of five was rescued from the sea off the Clare coast on Saturday afternoon.
They were taken to safety by the crew of the Kilrush RNLI lifeboat at about 2.30pm after the engine on their wayfarer dinghy failed between Hog Island and Scattery Island. The group attempted to paddle ashore, however their boat capsized throwing them into the water.
All five were wearing life- jackets and, according to a spokesman for Kilrush RNLI, "they were very well equipped" and raised the alarm by mobile phone.
Director for refugee agency
The Refugee Information Service has appointed the current deputy director of the Homeless Agency in Dublin, Josephine Ahern, as the agency's first director.
Ms Ahern said the service would continue to work closely with the Government, the community and those seeking asylum and refugee status to ensure they were treated fairly.
The service has acted as a non-governmental contact point for refugees and asylum seekers since 1998.
Gardaí hit road for Aids children
Sixty gardaí are to hit the high road to raise vital funds for vulnerable children whose lives have been devastated by Aids. The gardaí will take part next May in the 2,448 mile Route 66 road-trip in the US on motorbikes in aid of Unicef Ireland.
From stations across Galway, Clare, Mayo and Roscommon, they hope to raise €350,000.The officers will travel for 10 days through three time zones and eight states.A number of businesses across the counties have signed up to sponsor the team.
Anne Marie Foran, fundraising manager for Unicef Ireland, said the event would make a vital contribution to the youngsters' lives. Assistant commissioner JG Kelly said: "The fundraising efforts of the 60 gardaí will have a huge impact on thousands of young children's lives in Mozambique."
'Late Late' to transmit from UL
RTÉ'S flagship chat show will be broadcast live from beyond its traditional Donnybrook home next month for only the third time in its 40-year history, writes Karl Hanlon.
Presenter Pat Kenny will host The Late Late Show in the University Concert Hall in Limerick on November 10th. Up to 700 guests are expected at the show.
National school wins eco award
Pupils at a two-teacher national school in Rock- chapel, Co Cork, who use hand-held wireless laptops to do their homework and have their own website and discussion forum, have beaten national firms to win an award for operating in a paper-free environment, writes Olivia Kelleher.
Earlier this year Knockaclarig National School beat off 178 applicants nationwide to scoop the three-year €300,000 EU-commissioned Outlab project.
The 31-pupil school was recently shortlisted for the Inspired IT awards alongside Bupa Ireland, Greenpark Health Trust, A Dream Solution Ltd and the University of Ulster.
Knockaclarig's win was announced in Dublin at the weekend. The awards are sponsored by BT and research and intelligence company, I Reach.