A round-up of today's other stories in brief
British soldier (29) died on Slieve Donard
The man believed to have been a climber killed by lightning on top of Slieve Donard in the Mourne Mountains was a British soldier, it was confirmed yesterday.
The British army did not disclose his name but said he was a 29-year-old sergeant in the Royal Signals from north Humberside in England. His body was discovered under snow by the summit of the 860 metre mountain on Saturday.
The PSNI said a post mortem had revealed there were "no suspicious circumstances" surrounding his death.
Consular offices for Euro 2008
The Department of Foreign Affairs is to set up temporary consular offices across Europe as Ireland's soccer team bids to qualify for Euro 2008, it emerged yesterday. With games against Slovakia, the Czech Republic, San Marino and Cyprus, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said extra consular staff would be required.
48,000 graduates in 2004
More than 48,000 students graduated from higher education institutions in 2004, almost double the figure of 24,917 in 1994. Only 3 per cent were still seeking employment nine months after graduation.
These figures are in the latest report from the chief executive of Higher Education Authority, Tom Boland.
"The findings demonstrate that the Irish economy has the capacity and need to absorb more and more of our talented graduates from a range of disciplines," Mr Boland said.
The number of primary degree recipients was 22,034, an increase of 2,171 (11 per cent) on 2003, while there were 5,707 recipients of master and PhD degrees , up from 4,599 in 2003.
Association selects best restaurants
The Restaurants Association of Ireland has voted on the best places to dine in the four provinces and in Dublin. According to the association, the best restaurant in Dublin is Chapter One on Parnell Square North. The best new restaurant is Dax Wine Bar on Upper Pembroke Street.
Restaurateurs have been voting on their favourite restaurants for six years and voting on new ones for two years, said Henry O'Neill, chief executive of the association.
Provincial winners for best restaurant are: Munster: The Cherry Tree Restaurant, Co Clare; Leinster: Dunbrody House, Co Wexford; Connacht: Vina Mara, Co Galway and Ulster: The Old Post Inn, Co Cavan.
Best newcomers are: Munster: Mrs Dee's Steakhouse, Co Cork; Leinster: O'Briens Good Food and Drink House, Co Meath; Connacht: Cleverly Mill, Co Sligo; and Ulster: Mollys Yard Restaurant, Belfast.
Travellers leave Derry school
A group of about 20 Travellers who forced the closure of a school in Derry have left the site. The Travellers had occupied Sperrin Integrated College, which educates children from the Catholic and Protestant communities, in Magherafelt since Saturday evening, confining themselves to a car park.
The school authorities decided to close it.
Principal Alistair Rowan said the Travellers had been civil and no money had changed hands to persuade them to leave.
Man jailed for selling drugs
A Monaghan man who a judge said had been given a chance to cease involvement with drugs, but had failed to do so, was jailed for 10 months at Carrickmacross District Court yesterday.
Christopher Duffy (23), Carrickmacross, who appeared on two charges under the Misuse of Drugs Act, was also fined €300 for a second offence of possession.