A man has been charged by Customs officers with a Revenue offence after gardaí discovered more than 3 million cigarettes in a container lorry close to the Border on Friday.
The man, who is from Northern Ireland, was arrested after Dundalk gardaí stopped and searched the vehicle at Carnbeg on the Dundalk-Armagh road. He was released on bail and will appear in court at a later date.
The cigarettes, with an estimated value of €1 million, were concealed in rolls of carpet. Gardaí suspect they may have been smuggled from Spain by the "Real IRA".
Suicide support group launched
A new support group for families bereaved by suicide has been launched in Co Meath as recent figures revealed that with 19 suicides, 2002 was the worst year yet for the county. The six- to-one ratio of male-to-female suicides reflects the level for the North Eastern Health Board area of Meath, Louth, Cavan and Monaghan.
The Living Links group, based at Dowdstown House, Dalgan Park, Navan, will support families and others bereaved by suicide through a voluntary listening support service. Suicide Outreach Support volunteers working with Living Links will offer practical help, including visits to the family after the suicide and accompanying them to the inquest, if they wish.
12-year-old boy dies at soccer match
A 12-year-old Co Carlow boy collapsed while playing a soccer match on Saturday morning and died after being admitted to St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny. Jonathan Cummins, Pound Lane, Borris, Co Carlow, was playing for Killoughternane in the Carlow and District League, against Parkville United of Tullow.
Green nomination to replace Ahern
The Green Party deputy leader, Ms Mary White, has been nominated as the party's candidate for Leinster in next year's European elections. Ms White, a councillor in Borris, Co Carlow, was selected at the weekend. This followed the announcement earlier this month that Ms Nuala Ahern MEP would not be contesting the election next June.