In short

More court reports in brief.

More court reports in brief.

Judgment reserved in murder appeal

The Court of Criminal Appeal has reserved judgment in the appeal by five Limerick men convicted of the murder of crime boss Kieran Keane and the attempted murder of his nephew, Owen Treacy. The men are Desmond Dundon (23), Hyde Road; David Stanners (34), Pineview Gardens, Moyross; James McCarthy (27), Delmege Park, Moyross; Christopher Costelloe (23), Moylish Avenue, Ballynanty Beg and Anthony McCarthy (24), Fairgreen, Garryowen.

Yesterday the three-judge Court of Criminal Appeal, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns, presiding, Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne and Mr Justice Brian McGovern, reserved judgment.

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Lawyers for the five men argued that their convictions were not safe on several grounds, including that media coverage had influenced the jury, that they had not been fully furnished with all relevant documentation, and that the jury had not been correctly charged by the trial judge.

Cork Opera House drinks licence

Cork Opera House has challenged the refusal of the Revenue Commissioners to grant it a drinks licence under a licensing arrangement which has operated for more than 100 years. The proceedings were heard yesterday before Mr Justice John Hedigan who reserved judgment.

When leave to take the challenge was granted in June 2005, a stay was granted on the implementation of any licence refusal pending the outcome of the proceedings.

Cork Opera House was founded in 1855 and, up to 2004, it had secured an excise licence under the provisions of the Cork Improvement Act 1868.

However, after a local Garda sergeant had queried the licensing arrangement, the Revenue had in 2004 described the licensing situation as an "anomaly" and had indicated the licence would not be renewed under the 1868 Act. It was indicated the opera house would have to give the Revenue a public music and singing licence under the Public Health Amendment Acts before the Revenue could issue a drinks licence under the Excise Act 1835.

Opera festival case adjourned

The High Court has adjourned to next week proceedings taken by the chief executive of Wexford Festival Opera that prevent his employers from dismissing him from his post.

Last week Michael Hunt, Esker, Athenry, Co Galway, secured a temporary injunction that restrains Wexford Festival Trust from removing him from the position of chief executive of the renowned opera festival.

Yesterday Ms Justice Mary Laffoy, who had granted the original order, was told by counsel for the Festival Trust that it was seeking an adjournment because it was in the process of preparing affidavits which are to be served on Mr Hunt's legal team.

Ms Justice Laffoy agreed to counsel's request and adjourned the case, on continuing terms, to next week.

Man assaulted female garda

A man with more than 60 previous convictions who kicked a female garda in the groin while resisting arrest has been given a three-year sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Noel Hudson (22) apologised in court and said "I wouldn't hit a woman".

He said he had taken sleeping tablets and drink because he was depressed over the death of his friend Terence Wheelock in Garda custody.

Hudson, Seán O'Casey Avenue, Dublin, pleaded guilty to assaulting Garda Helen McGrath causing her harm, assaulting two male gardaí and threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour at Seán O'Casey Avenue and Mountjoy Garda station on May 28th, 2006.