The other news of the day in brief...
Gardaí investigate link to feud after explosive device found
Gardaí have begun an investigation after a crude explosive device was found at a house in Drimnagh, Dublin, early yesterday morning.
The device was spotted at the house on Sperrin Road just after midnight and the emergency services were alerted. Army bomb disposal experts were called to the scene and arrived at 12.50am.
The Army personnel were able to dismantle the device at the scene without the need for a controlled explosion. It was then taken away for further examination by the Garda.
The area was declared safe at 2.30am and local residents who had been evacuated were allowed to return to their homes.
Gardaí are investigating if the incident was linked to an ongoing feud in the area.
UUP wins Armagh council byelection
The Ulster Unionists have won a council byelection in Co Armagh, beating the Traditional Unionist Voice.
The Craigavon Borough Council vacancy arose after unionist councillors failed to agree on a co-option after a TUV councillor resigned.
Jo-Anne Dobson (UUP) won 2,494 votes (64 per cent) while TUV candidate David Calvert polled 752 votes. The DUP did not run a candidate.
Liam Mackle (SF) won 401 votes and the SDLP’s Patrick McDade won 256. Turnout was under 24 per cent.
Ms Dobson said: “Our success today is built upon the fact that . . . this party took risks for the right reasons and helped make Northern Ireland a better place.”
UUP leader Sir Reg Empey said the result was proof his party was back in business.
Gilligan complains to court president
Convicted drug trafficker John Gilligan (57) has written a letter of complaint to the president of the District Court in relation to his ongoing court case.
Gilligan is charged with possession of a sim card and mobile phone in his prison cell in Portlaoise on July 30th, 2008. At a sitting of Portlaoise District Court yesterday, Gilligan told Judge Gerard Haughton he had written to the District Court president complaining of prejudice. He alleged Judge Haughton failed to adhere to an undertaking given by another judge on October 14th, 2009, not to introduce further evidence in the case after that date.
Judge Haughton said the letter was misguided: “It is not a matter for the President of the District Court.”