In Short . . .

A round-up of today's other stories in brief.

A round-up of today's other stories in brief.

Man charged with murder of pensioner

A 36-year-old man was charged in Mullingar District Court yesterday with the murder of Michael Creighton (82).

Ian Kinahan was silent throughout the five-minute hearing, nodding only to confirm he was of no fixed abode.

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Det Sgt Brian Willoughby told the court the defendant replied "not guilty" after being charged and cautioned. Mr Creighton was found dead in his apartment at Belvedere Court, Castle Street, Mullingar, on Sunday last.

A substantial crowd gathered outside the courthouse yesterday afternoon as Mr Kinahan was led inside. He was granted legal aid and remanded in Cloverhill Prison to appear at Mullingar District Court on September 15th.

Fined for air-rage on Ryanair flight

A 42-year old Dutch professional musician involved in an air-rage incident on a Ryanair flight last Saturday was fined €1,000 at Shannon District Court yesterday. Harry Gustaaf of Nymegen, the Netherlands, pleaded guilty to being drunk on board a Dusseldorf-Shannon flight giving rise to a reasonable apprehension that he may be a danger to himself or others.

Gustaaf also pleaded guilty to engaging in behaviour likely to cause serious offence or annoyance to people on board the aircraft despite being asked to stop by a crew member.

Catriona Carmody, solicitor for the accused, said Gustaaf was a professional musician with the Royal Symphonic Orchestra in Holland and has been involved over the past four years in establishing a shelter for the homeless and prostitutes there. She said he had no previous convictions and what happened was out of character.

The flight had been delayed and Gustaaf had had a few drinks in the airport while waiting. She said: "Mr Gustaaf was travelling to Ireland to visit his mother at Ballinrobe, Co Mayo. He is extremely embarrassed and very worried over what happened and apologises profusely for his actions, while he also co-operated fully with the Garda."

Man (60) dies in road accident

A man in his 60s has been killed in a road accident in Co Galway. The four-wheel-drive car that the man was driving turned on to its side at a sharp bend at Ballinafad, on the main N59 road between Galway and Clifden.

Mother to pursue dead soldier's case

The mother of a soldier shot in Lebanon while serving with the UN six years ago has vowed to pursue the matter further through the courts following the return of an open verdict at the inquest into his death. Helen Barrett said she was delighted with the unanimous open verdict yesterday.

Pte Kevin James Barrett (20), Rathmullan, died of a gunshot wound to the head on February, 17th, 1999. Barrett had been serving in an outpost at Brashid in south Lebanon with Irish Defence Forces as part of the 84th infantry battalion.

During the inquest soldiers told of rumours circulating at camp concerning homosexuality; they spoke of drinking and of playing "chicken" with rifles.

Barrister Declan McHugh said Kevin's father had received a letter from a major in the Irish Army on May 11th, 1999, stating that Kevin had died as a result of accidental discharge of his own weapon and dismissed any suggestion that he had taken his own life. His mother said more questions needed to be answered.

Irish woman scout vice-president

An Irishwoman has been appointed vice-president of the world scout movement at its conference in Tunisia. She is Therese Bermingham (52), Killiney, Co Dublin.