A round-up to today's other stories in brief
Mayo water cooler firm to shed 40 jobs
A Ballina-based industry, Oasis, is to cease manufacturing water coolers with the loss of 40 jobs. Staff were told yesterday afternoon.
The company is to retain 15 jobs for its European headquarters, which will still be located in the Co Mayo town.
Manufacturing will be moved to another Oasis facility in a lower cost location. A company spokesman cited increased competition from abroad, particularly China, as the reason for the closure.
The company will begin negotiations with workers on redundancy packages.
Smoke alert on Ryanair flight
Nearly 130 passengers on a Ryanair flight from Malaga, in Spain, were evacuated from the aircraft when it landed at Shannon airport late on Wednesday night after smoke was reported in the cabin.
A spokeswoman for Shannon airport said emergency services were called to the scene after the aircraft landed although a full-scale emergency was not declared. Passengers had been evacuated by the aircraft stairs and taken by bus to the terminal building.
Ryanair said some fumes were reported in the rear of the cabin while the plane was taxiing after landing at Shannon. "Passengers were disembarked from the aircraft and bused to the terminal. The aircraft was inspected and cleared to resume service by our engineers," it stated.
3 arrested as explosive device found
Gardaí yesterday arrested three men in connection with transporting a suspected explosive device in Wexford. The men, aged from their mid-30s to 50s, were arrested yesterday morning and questioned under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.
Gardaí last night confirmed that, as part of an ongoing operation in the Wexford town/Kilmore Quay area, officers found an explosive device which was subsequently rendered safe by an Army team.
It is understood that two men were arrested at Ballycogley in south Wexford and brought to Wexford Garda station. Another man, believed to have met the two men at a Ballycogley meeting point, was apprehended at Murrin, six miles away.
Woman killed in Wexford car crash
A female motorist was killed yesterday when the car in which she was travelling collided with another car at 5pm at Raheenaskeagh Upper, Oulart, in Co Wexford.
The deceased, who is believed to be in her 40s, was travelling alone in her car at the time.
Two men in the other car were treated for minor injuries in Wexford General Hospital. Gardaí in Enniscorthy are investigating.
A 55-year-old man who died after his car left the road at Moanvane, Portarlington in Laois on Tuesday afternoon has been named by gardaí as Thomas Kinsella, from Kilbeg, Walshisland in Offaly.
Gardaí have also confirmed that one of two men taken to Tullamore hospital after a two-car collision at Sharavogue, Birr, Co Offaly, on Thursday, February 23rd, has since died. John Scully (87) of Hillview, Fortal, Birr, died in hospital last Monday as a result of his injuries.
Priest to stand trial on sex charges
A Co Fermanagh priest will go on trial in September charged with indecently assaulting and facilitating the rape of a 12-year-old girl, a court heard yesterday.
Fr Jeremiah McGrath, (62) a parish priest in Rosslea, allegedly committed the offences in northwest England between May and November last year. Fr McGrath was due to enter pleas at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday but the hearing was adjourned until March 27th. - (PA)
Juvenile arrested after drugs seizure
A young man was arrested yesterday after gardaí seized drugs, ammunition and a stolen motorcycle in north Dublin. Officers from the Coolock Drugs Unit discovered cocaine and cannabis resin, which may be worth more than €50,000, in a house search in the Darndale area. They also seized shotgun cartridges and recovered a stolen motorcycle.
A Garda spokesman said a male juvenile was arrested and is being held at Coolock Garda station. - (PA)
12% of road deaths are motorcyclists
Motorcycles represent less than 2 per cent of licensed vehicles but bikers account for at least 12 per cent of road deaths, according to the National Safety Council. Their statement, on the eve of the Motorbike and Scooter Show at the RDS, said this meant motorcyclists were six times more likely to be killed on the roads.
Search for missing Galway youth
Gardaí at Salthill Garda station in Galway are seeking assistance in locating a 17-year-old missing youth. Sam Connolly has been missing from his accommodation in Salthill since February 7th last.
He is of slim build and 6ft tall. He has sandy coloured hair cut tight, a long face and a pale complexion. Anyone with any information is asked to contact gardaí at Salthill station on 091-514720