Gardaí were yesterday seeking to identify a woman whose body was discovered on a beach in Ballybunion, Co Kerry, late on Wednesday night, writes Anne Lucey.
A man out walking found the body of the woman, believed to be in her early 50s, on the Ladies' Beach at around 11.30 p.m.
The woman was slim, and over five feet tall. She had reddish-brown shoulder length hair and was wearing a purple polo neck over a yellow T-shirt and black pants. She also wore black socks but had no shoes. There were no identification papers or documentation on the person.
Sgt Mick McCarthy said the woman was not believed to be local. Gardaí are awaiting post-mortem and pathology results. They do not believe the death was suspicious.
It was possible the woman had fallen off a boat out at sea or had suffered a heart attack while walking on the beach, said Sgt McCarthy.
She had been in the water for about two days.
Man charged with manslaughter
A Limerick man was yesterday charged with the manslaughter of a 60-year-old Tipperary man who died following an assault nearly three years ago.
Mr Charlie Molloy (31), Maigue Way, John Carew Park, Limerick was charged with the unlawful killing of Peter O'Sullivan on a date between December 7th, 2000 and March 14th, 2001.
He is also charged with assaulting Mr O'Sullivan on December 7th, 2000.
The court heard that the book of evidence could be ready by next week. Judge Tom O'Donnell refused bail and remanded Mr Molloy in custody for one week.
Airline reverses photograph rule
Aer Arann has reversed its decision, announced earlier this week, that all passengers travelling on domestic flights must carry acceptable photographic identification.
The airlines had written to travel agents last Tuesday informing them that from October 11th all passengers travelling on domestic and overseas flights would have to present official photo ID at the airport.
Many travel agents, however, were surprised by the announcement.
In a statement the company said: "We are responding to the complaints and concerns from travel agents over the implications of the new regulation on domestic travel, when they received the letter.
"Therefore from October 11th next, only overseas passengers will be required to show official identification at the airport when checking in for an Aer Arann flight."
Plan to shut rescue centre criticised
The Labour Party has criticised the proposed closure of the Dublin-based Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) as a "dangerous and ill-timed decision" by the Minister for the Marine, Mr Ahern.
Mr Tommy Broughan, Labour's marine spokesman, said the decision "defies belief", given that the Irish Sea is one of the busiest sea lanes in the world, with over 80,000 passengers and crew at sea during recent holiday weekends.
Some 17 staff at MRCC have been told the existing three Irish Coast Guard co-ordination centres at Dublin, Valentia, Co Kerry, and Malin, Co Donegal, are to be rationalised. Dublin staff will be given the option to transfer to Kerry or Donegal.
€5m safety works for Cliffs of Moher
Clare County Council is to spend €5 million to improve visitor safety and enhance the environment at the Cliffs of Moher.
The works will aim to curb the practice of people leaning over the ledge of the cliffs or walking close to the ledge without any barrier.