In short

More news in brief.

More news in brief.

New High Court judge attends Áras

Mr Justice John Hedigan has been appointed to the High Court. At a ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin yesterday, the appointment was confirmed by President Mary McAleese.

The event was attended by Tánaiste and Minister for Justice Michael McDowell and Attorney General Rory Brady.

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Claim O'Loan findings leaked

The PSNI has confirmed that it is investigating a claim that the office of the Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan leaked information about her investigation of RUC Special Branch collusion with the UVF in north Belfast, writes Gerry Moriarty, Northern Editor.

The Retired Police Officers Association has alleged that confidential details of Mrs O'Loan's investigation were leaked to journalists.

Her report published in January detailed how elements of Special Branch colluded with the Mount Vernon UVF, led by Mark Haddock, which was responsible for up to 16 murders.

She found that UVF members, who were Special Branch informers including Haddock, were able to carry out murders while having effective immunity.

A PSNI spokeswoman confirmed that police were following up on the allegations.

A spokesman for the Ombudsman denied any breach of the law.

File for DPP on Cork arms seizure

Gardaí are to send a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions after releasing without charge a woman questioned about a major arms seizure on the outskirts of Cork city at the weekend. The arrest brings to five the number of people arrested in connection with the seizure at the Hotel Ibis, Dunkettle, Glanmire, of a large quantity of weaponry.

Two men arrested in Glanmire and Rochestown have appeared in court in connection with the seizure, while a man arrested in Ballincollig on Friday and a woman arrested in Ballincollig on Saturday were released without charge.

Videos filmed for Rock The Vote

Actor Colin Farrell and journalist Fintan O'Toole were among those filming videos for the Rock The Vote campaign in Dublin yesterday.

The group is encouraging younger people to vote in the general election, with ads to be shown on television and the web.

"It means you're being active in how your country is run and it's time for a change as well," said Farrell.

Asked who was the best actor in the Dáil, he said: "Well, Bertie's been doing it for a long time and some people still seem to be buying it. No, I'm joking. I haven't a clue. I don't watch the Dáil that much."

Diabetic man missing in Cork

The family of a diabetic man missing in west Cork have appealed to the public for assistance in finding him.

Alan Lyons (25), Thurles, Co Tipperary, was last in contact with his family at 9.30am on Sunday when he rang to say he was lost in woodland. He is insulin dependent and had been attending a party at Coole Mountain on Saturday night.

More than 80 people including gardaí, civil defence, cliff and coastal teams, along with a dog search-and-rescue team and a Garda helicopter spent yesterday searching the townlands of Moneyreague and Togher near Coole Mountain.

Street closed over building safety

Traffic was disrupted in Limerick yesterday when a city centre street was closed to traffic over concern about the stability of a building.

It is understood work was being carried out on an unoccupied premises on Cecil Street when a back wall collapsed at about 2.30pm yesterday. Nobody was injured.