More news in brief.
McAleese to visit Saudi Arabia
President Mary McAleese is to travel to Saudi Arabia later this month to deliver the keynote address at the Jeddah Economic Forum, writes Renagh Holohan.
The forum is one of the Middle East's most important annual gatherings of world leaders, government officials, academics and business leaders. Her two-day visit to Saudi Arabia will include a courtesy call on King Abdullah and an Irish community event.
Woman (85) killed by lorry in Cavan
Two separate road incidents in which two female pedestrians were fatally injured following car crashes brings to 41 the number of deaths on Irish roads this year, writes Áine Kerr.
Yesterday, an 85-year-old woman died when she was struck by a lorry while crossing the road at the Diamond Junction, Doon, Ballyconnell, Co Cavan. Gardaí at Ballyconnell are appealing for witnesses.
A 30-year-old woman who was hit by a car while crossing the N3 near Philpotstown, Navan, Co Meath, last Thursday evening has died.
Maria Berar, a native of Romania and living in Fairview, Dublin, died in Beaumont hospital .
Man on attempted murder charge
A 19-year-old man was charged in Belfast yesterday with attempted murder. Jonathan Orr, The Mount, East Belfast, was also charged with criminal damage to a flat. A 42-year-old man was stabbed in the chest on Monday in what is understood to have been a domestic dispute. Mr Orr was remanded in custody to March 1st.
Man accused of planning file theft
Private investigator William "Billy" Flynn has gone on trial at Trim Circuit Court accused of the theft of an 11-year-old planning file from the offices of Navan town council.
Mr Flynn, Rathcore, Enfield, Co Meath, yesterday pleaded not guilty to the offence alleged to have happened at Watergate Street, Navan, on December 23rd, 2003.
The court heard the accused had gone to the council office and asked for and was given two planning files to view, but then allegedly removed one file without permission.
New senior police adviser named
The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe has named Garda Assistant Commissioner Kevin Carty as its new senior police adviser, writes Deaglán de Bréadún
Mr Carty previously headed the EU Police Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Prior to that, he was special adviser to the Independent Panel on the Safety and Security of UN Personnel in Iraq and a member of the Security in Iraq Accountability Panel.