In Short

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

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

Hopes for end to unionist boycott rise

Unionists engaged in a boycott of Belfast's policing consultative body could end their protest following a meeting with the chief constable and senior officers, writes Dan Keenan.

Robin Newton, Elaine McMillan and Ruth Patterson, DUP; Ulster Unionists David Brown and Jim Rodgers; Independent Unionist Frank McCoubrey and Hugh Smyth, Progressive Unionist Party, quit the District Policing Partnership in response to unionist anger at PSNI tactics deployed at the controversial rerouted Whiterock Orange parade 10 days ago.

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The five unionist representatives met Sir Hugh Orde yesterday for what Ms Patterson called "robust" talks.

Sir Hugh said the meeting was positive, adding: "We as a police service have reiterated our commitment to playing our part in building positive policing relationships. I believe we have now moved forward. I and my officers are listening to communities in Belfast and across Northern Ireland."

As the talks between the unionists and the chief constable were being held, Northern Secretary Peter Hain encountered a protest by Shankill loyalists as he went on a walkabout in Lisburn, Co Antrim.

About 12 women confronted Mr Hain, demanding the right of Orangemen to "walk the Queen's highway" and not be forced through industrial estates as the Whiterock parade was. They also bitterly condemned Mr Hain's decision to release Shankill bomber Seán Kelly.

Mr Hain said: There's clearly a perception among unionists that the government has not been listening. What I am down here to do is show that I am and we are [ listening] and we will continue to work together with a forward agenda for Northern Ireland."

Poll gives FF/PDs slender lead

The Fianna Fáil/Progressive Democrat Government still holds a slender lead over a potential rival coalition of Fine Gael, Labour and the Greens, according to a new opinion poll.

Contrary to other surveys, the poll finds that Fine Gael has failed to improve on its performance in the last general election.

Fianna Fáil support stands at 38 per cent, 4 per cent down on the last election, while Fine Gael remains unchanged at 23 per cent, according to the poll carried out by Lansdowne Market Research for the Irish Examiner.

Labour is up 1 per cent on its election result, to 10 per cent, while Sinn Fein has increased its support to 10 per cent, up 3 per cent. The polls shows the Greens at 6 per cent, up 2 per cent, and the PDs at 5 per cent, up 1 per cent.

As expected sitting Fianna Fáil TDs Noel Ahern and Pat Carey were selected to contest the next general election in Dublin North West last night.

Earlier, Progressive Democrats Senator Tom Morrissey was selected as the party's candidate in Dublin North.

New inquiry into cell hanging

The Garda Commissioner has asked a superintendent from outside the division containing Store Street Garda station to inquire into the death of Terence Wheelock, writes Carol Coulter.

Mr Wheelock, who was from Dublin's north inner city, had been detained by gardaí in a cell in Store Street on June 2nd last, where he tried to hang himself with a cord taken from his tracksuit bottoms.

Gardaí and fire brigade officers brought him to the Mater hospital, where he died on Friday having never regained consciousness.

A preliminary Garda inquiry was conducted, and the Minister for Justice received that report earlier this month.

According to a spokeswoman, he asked the Garda Commissioner to establish a further inquiry, and he is awaiting its report.

Fuel protest has little effect on traffic

Hauliers from the northeast of the country involved in a go-slow protest against fuel prices had little impact on Dublin traffic yesterday, gardaí said.

The hauliers made their way from Ardee, Co Louth, along the M1 to Dublin from around 6am, in a convoy of around 30 lorries, arriving in Dublin shortly after 9am.

The small group, some of whom are members of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), said they wanted the Government to reduce excise duty on diesel to reduce their costs.

Severe disruption had been expected in the city during the morning rush hour but although traffic was heavy, the overall effect on volumes was minimal.

Continued bail for Monaghan farmer

A Co Monaghan farmer was further remanded on continuing bail on a total of 57 charges for alleged breaches of EU regulations in relation to the movement of livestock from his farm close to the south Armagh border.

William Cranston, Skerrymore, Drumacrib, was prosecuted by the Minister for Agriculture and Food for alleged breaches of the regulations over a period between May 2002 and August 2003.

Judge Flann Brennan granted an adjournment to a further sitting at Castleblayney District Court on November 21st next, when a date can then be fixed for a full hearing.

Council waste case adjourned

A case against Monaghan County Council being taken by the Environmental Protection Agency for alleged breaches of regulations in relation to the disposal of waste was adjourned yesterday.

The council faces 25 charges for the alleged breaches.

Judge Flann Brennan granted an application for a further adjournment of the proceedings to a sitting of the court in November.

Decision later on placename vote

Kerry County Council yesterday adjourned discussion of a plebiscite on the issue of a placename for An Daingean, formerly Dingle, in Kerry, writes Anne Lucey.