A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Murderer's lawyer in plea for jail term that will not 'crush her'
The lawyer representing convicted double murderer Hazel Stewart has appealed to the judge deciding the minimum sentence she must serve to show mercy and not impose a prison term that would “crush her”, writes Gerry Moriarty.
Next Wednesday at 10am Mr Justice Anthony Hart will announce the minimum term she must serve after hearing submissions yesterday from prosecuting lawyer Ciaran Murphy and defence counsel Paul Ramsey.
Stewart’s accomplice Colin Howell was sentenced to a minimum of 21 years for his role. Mr Murphy said yesterday Stewart (48) was a “secondary party” to the killings but was also “wholly complicit” in the joint enterprise.
RTÉ look to shed up to 60 posts
RTÉ IS seeking to eliminate between 50 and 60 jobs as a consequence of the financial situation at the State broadcaster, writes MARTIN WALL.
Management at the company told trade unions yesterday that plans were being prepared for the introduction of new voluntary redundancy and early retirement schemes.
It is understood that management said there would be no compulsory redundancies.
The company told trade unions several weeks ago that it was forecasting losses of up to €30 million this year.
“It is envisaged by management that between 50 and 60 posts will be covered by the two programmes,” a statement said.
RTÉ told unions that it was seeking to keep in place pay cuts introduced last year.
Cuts of up to 12 per cent were introduced on a graded basis for staff. RTÉ also wants to suspend of the payments of increments for 12 months.
Iris Robinson not to be prosecuted
Former DUP MP Iris Robinson will not be prosecuted over business dealings she allegedly facilitated for her former lover Kirk McCambley, the North’s Public Prosecution Service has confirmed.
A Robinson family spokesman said it noted the decision and claimed there were inaccuracies in the BBC Spotlight programme last year, which reported she obtained £50,000 from two developers for Mr McCambley.