A round-up of some of the day's other stories.
Brothers had been fighting, trial hears
Two brothers, both wearing Irish rugby jerseys, were swearing and wrestling in a late night bar some time prior to a fatal incident in a housing estate in Castlebar, Co Mayo, in which one of them died, the Circuit Criminal Court was told yesterday.
Doormen at Cox's Late Night Bar and Restaurant, Tucker Street, Castlebar, said Frank McDonnell (35) and Liam McDonnell (31) had to be separated. Liam McDonnell had been "seething" and "angry" following the incidents.
A witness gave evidence that Liam McDonnell, who was head doorman in Cox's at the time, told him he would not be "shamed" or "disrespected" in his own pub.
Frank McDonnell is pleading not guilty to the manslaughter of Liam McDonnell, at Rossmor Estate, Carrowncurry, Castlebar, on March 28th, 2004.
The pair, who are originally from Walkinstown in Dublin, had been drinking together on the day before Mr McDonnell died,
The hearing, which is taking place before Judge Donagh McDonagh and a jury, will resume next Tuesday.
Apology given to archaeologist
A Sunday newspaper has apologised to the former chief archaeologist of Duchas, David Sweetman.
Mr Sweetman, of Roestown, Drumree, Co Meath, had sued Associated Newspapers (Ireland) Ltd for defamation of character in an Ireland on Sunday article relating to a part he allegedly played in the archaeological excavation of Carrickmines Castle.
Garratt Cooney, SC, counsel for Mr Sweetman, said the article had appeared in October 2002 when the Carrickmines-M50 controversy had been at its height.
He said a picture of Mr Sweetman had been carried under the headline "Heritage Supremo faces EU censure", with a caption which read: "David Sweetman ok'd new motorway for Carrickmines."
Yesterday Associated Newspapers read an apology which stated Ireland on Sunday had claimed, incorrectly, that Mr Sweetman was under investigation by the EU Commission and that he had authorised the development of a motorway through Carrickmines Castle to the detriment of its archaeological heritage.
"We fully accept that these statements were entirely wrong and that Mr Sweetman always had the very best of relations with the National Museum of Ireland and further that its Keeper of Antiquities holds Mr Sweetman in the highest regard," the apology said.
Mr Sweetman (67) had also claimed €38,000 damages and it is believed the newspaper agreed to pay him a substantial part of it in damages. Mr Cooney said the case had been settled and could be struck out.
Teenage girl admits attack
A 17-year-old girl who attacked a 14-year-old schoolgirl by grabbing her neck and then dragging across a street by her hair has been remanded on bail pending a victim impact report.
She pleaded guilty at the Dublin Children's Court yesterday to assaulting the younger girl at the Rathgar Road, Terenure, Dublin, on March 12th last.
Judge Catherine Murphy requested a probation report on the defendant and adjourned the case, with bail, until November 11th.
Death of best-selling writer Murphy
The death has occurred of best-selling author Maura Murphy, whose memoir, Don't Wake Me at Doyles, has been at the top of the Irish and British bestseller lists since its publication two months ago.
Ms Murphy, who was in her 70s, wrote her autobiography after overcoming cancer five years ago.
Her editor, Ciara Considine of publishers Hodder Headline Ireland, said yesterday Maura was an inspirational person.
"She came to writing late in life because she wanted to leave a record for future generations, and what she achieved with her memoir is truly remarkable."
Student charged with murder
A 27-year-old architecture student appeared before Magistrates' Court in Derry yesterday charged with murdering a musician whose body was recovered from the river Foyle on Wednesday.
Jim Gilchrist (62), from Woodbrook, in Derry, was last seen alive cycling along a path beside the river on September 28th.
Alan Paul Luukas from River Court, Foyle Street, was charged with murdering the father of five.
The defendant was further charged with threatening to kill a woman between September 26th and September 29th.
In reply to the murder charge put to him in police custody, the defendant replied, "Totally innocent of that offence, you have made a grave mistake here," and in reply to the second charge had replied, "There is no way I intended in any way to frighten anyone."
The magistrate remanded the defendant to appear before the same court via video link on October 20th.
Third tanker runs aground in Dublin
A third oil tanker ran aground in Dublin Port this year, it has emerged.
On September 17th, the Bro Traveller, which was carrying more than 13,000 tonnes of fuel, ran aground.
On July 3rd, the Sten Embla, carrying just over 10,000 tonnes of oil, ran aground and was towed off by a tug at high tide.
The Vergina, a 185m tanker, was carrying ballast and leaving the port under pilotage on May 1st when it ran aground.