A round-up of today's other home news in brief
Labour push for byelection to be opposed
The Government will today oppose an attempt by the Labour Party to force the holding of the Dublin South byelection caused by the death last year of former Cabinet minister Séamus Brennan.
Labour leader, Eamon Gilmore will move the writ in the Dáil this evening, seeking an early byelection well before the local and European Parliament elections due to be held in June.
However, the Government Chief Whip, Pat Carey told Opposition whips last night that the Government would oppose it, although it is not yet clear what the terms of the Government’s counter-motion will be.
Labour’s senator, Alex White is one of the front-runners in the planned byelection. Fianna Fáil has yet to select a candidate, and no date has been fixed for a party selection convention.
‘Hunger’ ends ‘Slumdog’ run
Hunger, Steve McQueen's searing study of Bobby Sands's final days, finally halted Slumdog Millionaire's triumphant stomp through awards season when it picked up the best film prize at the Evening Standard British Film awards on Sunday night, writes Donald Clarke.
Irish talent secured another upset when Pat Shortt secured the best actor award for his performance as a simple-minded loner in Lenny Abrahamson’s highly praised Garage.
Coming in an awards ceremony aimed at acknowledging British talent in British films, Shortt’s win could be regarded as somewhat controversial. By way of contrast, Martin McDonagh, whose scabrous script for the cult hit In Bruges secured the writer the best screenplay award, may write about Ireland, but he was born and raised in London.
Slumdog Millionaire, which has won a hatful of prizes and remains the favourite for the best picture Oscar, took home just one award on Sunday night – the gong for best production design.
Lethal devices found in Dublin
Gardaí are investigating the discovery of a hand grenade and home-made explosive device in Dublin yesterday afternoon.
Army bomb disposal experts dismantled the devices, found on open ground near Greenfort Park in Lucan, with the scene declared safe at 5.30pm.
Earlier in the day, a controlled explosion was carried out on a pipe bomb hidden under a car in Ballyfermot, west Dublin.
Wicklow woman died in fall
An Irish woman who died after suffering a fall in the Cairngorms mountain range in Scotland at the weekend has been named as Teresa Michelle Conalty (40) from Wicklow town. Ms Conalty suffered head injuries when she fell more than 200m (650ft) while walking on the Coire Cas mountains at about 11am on Saturday.
Members of the Strathclyde Police and Arrochar Mountain Rescue teams were involved in rescuing Ms Conalty who died at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary a few hours after being evacuated from the scene by helicopter.
Bishop of Meath congratulated
Pope Benedict has been among the many people who sent messages of congratulation to the Bishop of Meath Most Rev Michael Smith who is 25 years a bishop, writes Patsy McGarry.
“I would like to communicate my desire to be part of the celebrations. I offer you my sincere and well deserved congratulations, while imploring a just reward for you from our Saviour and bestowing the Apostolic Blessing, above all on yourself and on the faithful of the diocese of Meath,” the Pope said.
Bishop Smith was ordained by Cardinal Tomás O’Fiach at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar on January 29th, 1984.