A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Man in hospital after being found unconscious in Tralee cell
A man who was found unconscious in his cell at Tralee Garda station early yesterday was in a serious condition last night at Cork University Hospital (CUH), writes Anne Lucey.
The man, in his 40s and from the greater Tralee area, was arrested under the Public Order Act on Denny Street, Tralee, in the early hours of yesterday morning. He was taken into custody, however gardaí were unable to wake him at about 8am. He was brought by ambulance to Kerry General Hospital and transferred to CUH. The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission confirmed it was investigating the incident. An investigator from the commission arrived in Tralee yesterday.
Two charged with Eircom trespass
Two men have appeared at Galway District Court charged with trespassing at an Eircom tower in Galway city earlier this month.
Niall Hanley (32), Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon, and Damien Smith (26), Mullingar, Co Westmeath, were charged with trespassing at the Eircom tower compound in Mervue, Galway, on March 1st.
They were arrested early in the morning following reports of an alleged base-jumping incident. One man had reportedly already "base- jumped" from the tower before gardaí arrived.
Insp Seán Glynn said that when he was charged with trespass, Mr Hanley had replied: "I wouldn't interfere with any property," while Mr Smith had made no reply.
Insp Glynn yesterday applied to the court to have the matter adjourned to see if the pair could be dealt with under the adult caution scheme.
If found suitable for the caution, which is administered by the Garda, they will not face prosecution.
Judge Mary Fahy agreed to adjourn the case to May 9th.
Man fined €250 for obstructing garda
A €250 fine has been imposed on a father of nine for obstructing a female garda during the Puck Fair festival in Killorglin, Co Kerry, in 2008.
Cyril Moriarty (59), Tulligbeg, Killorglin, Co Kerry, was found guilty last week by majority verdict at the Central Criminal Court in Tralee of the obstruction offence. He was sentenced yesterday.
He was acquitted of two more serious charges, that of sexually assaulting the garda and of assault causing her harm during the Puck Fair on August 13th, 2008.
'Munster Express' in tabloid switch
One of the oldest regional newspapers in the country appeared on the shelves in Waterford yesterday in tabloid format after 150 years of broadsheet publishing.
The Munster Express, based in Waterford, said in a statement yesterday it had changed format to meet readers' needs and to rise to the challenges of the 21st century. The move away from broadsheet had come as a response to reader demand, it said. The Munster Express is published every Wednesday and Friday and printed in-house on the Quays of Waterford city.