In Short

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

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

Cigarette sales cases adjourned

A number of cases brought by the Health Service Executive (North Eastern Area) against shop owners and employees in relation to the alleged sale of cigarettes to minors were adjourned by Judge Flann Brennan at Castleblayney District Court, Co Monaghan, yesterday.

The adjournment was to allow time to consider a number of issues raised by a defence counsel in relation to the prosecution evidence.

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The judge ruled that there should be no publication of the evidence pending the outcome of the proceedings in all cases.

He also ruled that the identity of a minor who was used by the health authority to enter shops to buy cigarettes as part of the authority's procedure must also be withheld under European legislation for the protection of young persons.

All the prosecutions were adjourned to a further sitting of the court on May 2nd next.

Sacked airport staff fail in appeal

Six Shannon airport workers who were sacked by a ground handling agent for playing rugby on an airport ramp have failed in their attempt to be reinstated, writes Pat Flynn.

An appeal to the company launched by Siptu's Shannon branch on behalf of the six men failed on the grounds of alleged "gross misconduct" by the workers.

The four full-time and two part-time staff were suspended by international ground handling agent Servisair after they were reported for playing rugby on an airport ramp at Shannon on January 22nd last.

Man who invaded pitch is charged

A 23-year-old man is to appear in court next Monday on two charges under the Public Order Act arising out of an incident at Lansdowne Road last Saturday where he is alleged to have run on to the field and tackled a player.

The incident occurred during Munster's Heineken European Championship quarter final clash with French side Perpignan.

In the 80th minute, the man ran on to the pitch wearing a Munster jersey. He tackled Perpignan No 11 Mathieu Bourett to the ground. The man was eventually overpowered by seven ground staff and taken from the field.

Judge warns on drug culture

A District Court judge yesterday said that individuals who dabbled in drugs, even for their own use, were co-operating in the promotion of the kind of drugs culture which had led to the recent spate of drug-related killings in Dublin and elsewhere.

Judge Flann Brennan was speaking at Castleblayney District Court, where a defendant appeared on charges relating to possession of small amounts of cocaine and cannabis.