In Short

A round-up of today's other court stories in brief...

A round-up of today's other court stories in brief...

Reprieve for ambulance service

The HSE has undertaken to continue using emergency ambulance services provided by a private company pending the outcome of the company's challenge to the termination of its contract.

Lifeline Ambulance Service, registered in Co Kildare, is seeking a High Court injunction against the HSE. It wants the court to restrain the proposed termination of an agreement made last December to provide emergency response for two-years.

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Mr Justice Peter Charleton was told yesterday an agreement between the sides to preserve the status quo would remain in place until July 31st by which time it was hoped the full hearing would have taken place.

Lifeline claims that, after a tender process, it had reached a service level agreement with the HSE with an option to extend the contract after two years.

Lifeline says it has stuck to its side of the agreement. It had bought seven new ambulances and hired extra staff to meet its obligations and would suffer losses of several million euro if the agreement was terminated, the company said.

Redmond trial set to resume

The corruption trial of George Redmond at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has continued in legal argument in the absence of the jury and the hearing of evidence is expected to resume next Wednesday.

Mr Redmond (83) of College Gate, Castleknock, a former assistant county manager, has pleaded not guilty to two charges arising out of a compulsory purchase order on 167 acres of land at Buzzardstown and Coolmine, in north-west County Dublin.

He denies receiving £10,000 punts from the late Fianna Fáil councillor, Mr Patrick Dunne, as an inducement in respect of the compulsory purchase order and to receiving the £10,000 punts as a reward for showing favour to another in relation to the same land.

Judge Joseph Matthews has asked the jury of three women and eight men to return next Wednesday.

Final arguments due in Walsh trial

The jury in the Meg Walsh murder trial will hear closing arguments early next week. The jury was absent during discussion of legal points yesterday.

Her husband, bus driver John O'Brien (41), Ballinakill Downs, Co Waterford denies murdering Ms Walsh.

Her body was recovered from the River Suir on October 15th 2006. She had died from blunt force trauma to the head.

The trial continues on Tuesday.

Uncle jailed for abusing boy (6)

A Co Meath man who turned himself in and confessed to gardaí after sexually assaulting his six-year-old nephew in a "once-off incident" has been given a three-year sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

The 33-year-old man pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the child at the boy's home in 2006.

Judge Katherine Delahunt imposed a three-year sentence with the final year suspended. She also directed that he undergo five years post-release supervision.

The man walked into a Garda station four days after the assault and said he wished to confess.

Garda Chloe Keegan said the uncle was staying with the boy's parents on the night of the assault and had been drinking. The child told his parents of the attack the next morning, the court heard.