Other court stories in brief.
Court to rule on sale of farmer's cattle
The High Court will rule today on an attempt by Co Tipperary farmer John Hanrahan to stop the sale of some 150 cattle removed from his farm by Department of Agriculture officials last March.
The case arises after department officials visited Mr Hanrahan's 250-acre farm at Ballydine, Carrick-on-Suir, on March 15th and removed 391 cows, calves and heifers on grounds of animal welfare concerns.
The officials later brought some feedstuffs to the farm and agreed to allow Mr Hanrahan retain his milking herd of some 120 animals.
The department is now proposing to sell some of the animals removed from the farm.
Counsel for Mr Hanrahan, Simon Boyle SC, yesterday sought an interlocutory injunction restraining the sale pending a full hearing of proceedings by his client against the Minister for Agriculture.
Michael McGrath SC, for the Minister, said she had sought to assist Mr Hanrahan as best she could but was still concerned about the animals' welfare.
Mr Justice Frank Clarke said he would give his judgment later today.
Suspended term for assault
An alcoholic mother who kicked a pregnant garda in the stomach will be given a suspended sentence by Judge Michael White at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Jacqueline Keogh (23), of Bunratty Road, Coolock, pleaded guilty to assaulting Garda Georgina Grey at Lucan station, causing her harm and to doing criminal damage to a telephone kiosk on June 1st, 2003.
Paul Greene, defending, said Keogh was in custody since July 2005 "due to her own silliness" after she was arrested on a bench warrant, having failed to appear for her trial in March 2005. He said she had done well to improve herself while in custody.
Judge White told Keogh her assault on a pregnant woman was "inexcusable behaviour" and she had to deal with her alcohol problem to avoid coming before the court again.
He adjourned sentence for the preparation of a Probation and Welfare Services report and said he would deal with the case by a suspended sentence on very strict conditions.
Addict gets five years for robbery
A drug addict who robbed €6,468 in cash and €5,580 worth of drugs from various pharmacies and newsagents has been given a five-year prison sentence.
John Daly (26), of Kilmahuddrick Road, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to nine robberies and one attempted robbery on dates between August 31st, 2003 and May 7th, 2005.
Judge Desmond Hogan suspended the last 12 months of the sentence on strict conditions including that Daly continue his drug addiction treatment.
Murder trial due to begin today
The trial of a Nigerian man accused of murdering his wife is due to begin today before Mr Justice Kevin O'Higgins at the Central Criminal Court.
Goodwill Udechuckwu (32) with a previous address at Royal Canal View, Royal Canal Bank, Phibsboro, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Natasha Gray (25) at a flat at the same address on February 18th, 2003.
His trial was put back yesterday because another case had not yet concluded.