A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Galway Bay test buoy to deliver wave energy research data
Seven European universities and research centres are due to collect data from the latest wave energy test buoy being deployed today in Galway Bay, writes Lorna Siggins.
The buoy was lifted by crane into the water at Galway docks last evening by Cork firm Ocean Energy Ltd – one of several firms approved to test wave energy devices off Spiddal.
Ocean Energy is providing the platform for the research, being co-ordinated by University College Cork’s hydraulics and maritime research centre. The project has secured €4.5 million in EU funding, approved by a scheme administered by EU commissioner for research and innovation Máire Geoghegan-Quinn. A study for Sustainable Energy Ireland has suggested ocean energy could generate €9 billion in income and thousands of jobs by 2030.
Aer Lingus not pursuing rebate
Aer Lingus says it is not pursuing claims for rebates from the State for redundancies paid to staff who left under a controversial redundancy scheme in 2009, writes Martin Wall.
A spokesman said it would be inconceivable for the airline to pursue such claims in light of a €29.5 million deal it reached with the Revenue Commissioners this week.
As part of the redundancy deal, 715 people left the airline in 2009 on redundancy packages averaging €72,000. They were re-employed within weeks on inferior pay and conditions.
If the redundancies were genuine, the company would have been entitled to a statutory redundancy rebate from the Government worth about €5 million.
Large crowds to visit Mother Teresa relic
Huge crowds are expected when a rare relic of missionary Mother Teresa comes to Ireland tomorrow.
The relic, a clump of the beatified nun’s hair, will be put on display in a remote church in Co Donegal. Thousands of pilgrims are planning to make the journey to St Bridget’s Church in Lettermacaward during which they will get a chance to be blessed by the sacred relic. They will be able to speak to Sisters of Charity nuns from Sligo who worked with Mother Teresa. Fr Eamonn McLaughlin organised the event.
Charged on killing granddaughter
A couple are to stand trial accused of killing their severely disabled teenage granddaughter 10 years ago, a judge has ruled.
David Johnston (87) and his wife Sarah (84) are charged with manslaughter and cruelty to Rebecca McKeown (14). The case against them relates to allegations of serious injuries inflicted on the girl while in their care for a few hours in March 2001.
Mr and Mrs Johnston, Glengormley, Co Antrim, deny causing harm to the child.
A district judge sitting at Belfast Magistrates’ Court ruled the couple should be returned to Belfast Crown Court for trial. They were each released on bail of £500.