A round-up of some of today's other stories in brief...
Man killed in west Cork collision
Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to a collision between two cars about four miles from Skibbereen in west Cork early yesterday in which a man was killed.
Anthony Coakley (28), Glencurragh, Skibbereen, was driving a car which was in collision with another car at the townland of Adrigole near Skibbereen at about 9.05am.
Mr Coakley was pronounced dead at the scene by a local doctor. The driver of the other car was taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital but it is understood his injuries are not life threatening.
Information sought on Lambay skull
Gardaí have appealed for anyone with information regarding a human skull which was caught by a fishing trawler off Lambay Island almost three years ago to come forward.
The Dublin County Coroner's office issued pictures of a reconstructed human head last January, in an effort to identify a man whose skull was recovered at sea by the skipper of a fishing vessel on February 6th, 2006.
It had been in the water for up to two years.
The identity of the man, who was Caucasian and aged between 25 and 45, remains a mystery, despite the circulation of the photos through Interpol. DNA samples have been sent to databases throughout Europe, without success.
Bid for Christmas Day record swim
The first world record for a Christmas Day sea dip may be set in Galway tomorrow as part of a fundraising effort for the homeless and domestic violence victims.
About 500 people had registered by yesterday for the charity event, but the Cope Galway organisation expects a substantially greater number to take part.
Traditionally, Galway bathers at Salthill's Blackrock and Ladies Beach have been well able to match their counterparts at Dalkey's Forty Foot and other coastal Christmas bathing spots on December 25th.
Cope Galway, which provides emergency accommodation and support for the homeless and those affected by domestic violence, has been the main beneficial charity for the past 18 years.
The Guinness Book of Records has been informed. "There isn't a standing world record to beat," said Fintan Maher of Cope Galway. "At least we hope to make it a first in that sense."
Teen remanded over car crimes
A teenage boy accused of stealing a woman's car and running her over has been further remanded in custody by the Dublin Children's Court pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Judge David Anderson was told the DPP was recommending that because the defendant was a juvenile, the Children's Court must decide whether the case should be sent forward to the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers.
However, Judge Anderson said the DPP must give that direction.
The teenager (16) has been charged with reckless endangerment by stealing the car and driving it over the woman at Clondalkin, Dublin, on August 11th.
Three charged over hacking death
Two men and a teenager were sent for trial yesterday accused of beating a man to death in front of his heavily pregnant wife. John Mongan (30) was hacked and beaten with a hatchet and baseball bat at his west Belfast home in February.
During a preliminary inquiry at Belfast Magistrates Court, Edward Stokes (37), Cornshell Fields, Derry, Christopher Stokes (33) and a 15-year-old youth spoke only to confirm they understood the nature of the proceedings.
All three are charged with murdering Mr Mongan, a Traveller, and damaging or destroying his Mitsubishi Shogun. Edward Stokes is further accused of maliciously wounding Mr Mongan's wife, Julia.