A roundup of today's other news stories in brief
Two men still held in Saulite murder case
Two men were still being questioned by gardaí last night about the shooting dead in Swords, Co Dublin, last month of Latvian mother of two Baiba Saulite.
The men, both from Lebanon and in their 20s, were being held at Coolock and Malahide Garda stations. They can he held until 7.30am tomorrow.
Pedestrian killed by car in Sligo
A pedestrian was killed when he was hit by a car in Co Sligo yesterday evening. The incident happened on the Ballina to Sligo road at Baltra.
The victim's name has not yet been released.
Elsewhere, gardaí are appealing for witnesses to a fatal road crash in Kells, Co Meath, on Tuesday. It resulted in the death of Patrick Taggart of Carlanstown, Co Meath. Witnesses are asked to contact Kells Garda station on 046-928 0820.
Workers picket Submarine Bar
Workers at the Submarine Bar in Crumlin, Dublin yesterday picketed the premises in protest at the new owner's decision to make several staff redundant.
The members of trade union Mandate alleged that new owner Gary Smith wanted staff to reapply for their jobs and work under different conditions to cut labour costs. A spokesman for Mr Smith denied that the staff would be replaced with cheaper labour.
MI5 chief guest at Irish Embassy party
The director general of the British Security Service MI5, Dame Eliza Manningham- Buller, was a guest at the Irish Embassy Christmas press party in London on Tuesday night, writes Frank Millar, London Editor.
An embassy spokeswoman said there was no political significance to the presence of the MI5 chief, nor to that of PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde. Dame Eliza was quite well known to the ambassador, Daithí Ó Ceallaigh, as "they get invited to many of the same events".
President appeals on road safety
President Mary McAleese called on road users to report "selfish" driving to the Garda over the Christmas period. At the annual Christmas tree- lighting reception at Áras an Uachtaráin yesterday, she said almost every road crash happened because someone was selfish, stupid, careless or badly trained.
"Selfish driving is a madness which we must not accept in our society, as drivers, passengers and other road users are being put at massive risk. I urge anyone who is aware of this activity, and knows those involved, to report it to the Garda - and simply refuse to accept this as tolerable behaviour," she said.
One hundred children designed stars with their own message about road safety, which were placed on a special Christmas tree.
NIO scores badly on tackling violence
The Northern Ireland Office has scored just one out of 10 for tackling violence against women in an audit by human rights group Amnesty International which was published yesterday, writes Carissa Casey.
It is the first year that the NIO was included in the audit "Making the Grade" which assesses policies and practices for tackling violence against women across all UK government departments.
Woman remanded in brothel case
A woman has admitted at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that she allowed a city centre apartment to be used as a brothel two years ago.
Deena Edridge (28), Wentworth Place, Naas, Co Kildare, pleaded guilty to being "the tenant or person in charge" of an apartment on Bachelors Walk, Dublin, and allowing it to be used as a brothel. She was remanded to next April.