A round-up of today's other stories in brief.
Two held over killing in Drogheda
Gardaí investigating the death in Drogheda,Co Louth, on St Stephen's Day of Darren McKeown have arrested a man and a woman, both aged 19. The woman was arrested for the second time in relation to the same investigation.
A garda yesterday described the death of Mr McKeown (29), following a serious assault in Rowan Heights, Drogheda, as "brutal". From Donore, Co Meath, he suffered numerous kicks to his head as he lay on the ground outside a house.
The woman was released without charge yesterday afternoon. Gardaí say they are compiling an extensive file for the DPP.
Funds shortage for medical jobs claim
Hospital consultants have suggested that health service management does not have sufficient funding for new senior medical posts to be created under a deal on a new contract reacted last month, writes Martin Wall.
The Irish Hospital Consultants Association said last night that a comprehensive checklist of items agreed in the talks - which is essential to allow for the parties to move to drawing up a full new legal contract for consultants - had not been completed by the Health Service Executive.
The association said it may now have to postpone a scheduled meeting of its national council at the weekend. This was to have discussed a consultation process with members on the new deal.
€270,000 seized at Dublin airport
Customs officers have seized €270,000 from a man travelling through Dublin airport. Officials believe the cash was intended to fund the purchase and importation of drugs.
The money was discovered on Monday when officers searched the carry-on baggage of a 30- year-old Irish national who was about to depart on a flight to London. The haul brings the amount of cash seized by Customs officials at Dublin airport this year to €597,105.
Customs officials were granted a three-month detention order by a judge to carry out further investigations.
Intimidation trial gets under way
The trial of a man accused of intimidating a victim of attempted murder and trying to persuade him not to give evidence at the trial of his attacker has opened at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Akef Alquasar, who is now in the witness protection programme, was shot in the head by Darren Larkin (24) at the Blanchardstown Leisureplex, Dublin, two years ago.
Larkin was sentenced to life imprisonment for attempted murder last May after a trial in which Mr Alquasar was the main State witness.
David Goulding (30), Whitechapel Grove, Clonsilla, has pleaded not guilty to intimidating Mr Alquasar and attempting to persuade him not to give evidence between May 1st and August 19th 2006. The trial continues before Judge Patrick McCartan and a jury.
Injuries damages case dismissed
A machinist who sued his employer for damages over alleged injuries sustained as a result of a fall in his workplace has had his action dismissed by the High Court and faces a substantial bill for legal costs.
Nicholas Kane (53) Thomas Moore Road, Walkinstown, Dublin, had sued Smurfit Ireland, Beech Hill, Clonskeagh, Dublin after a fall at work on November 1st, 2000. He claimed he sustained a severe personal injury as a result of the company's alleged negligence and breach of duty.
The defendants had fully denied the claims. After a five-day hearing yesterday, Mr Justice John Quirke dismissed the case on the basis that negligence had not been proved.