A round-up of today's other courts stories in brief...
Double jeopardy change in force
The Criminal Procedure Act which alters the rules relating to double jeopardy, whereby an acquitted person cannot be pursued again for the same offence has come into force.
The Act permits retrials where an acquittal can be shown to have been undeserved due to the emergence of new and compelling evidence.
The legislation was first announced in 2008 and was signed into law by Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern.
Mr Ahern also unveiled the Victims' Charter and Guide to the Criminal Justice System,which sets out the range of support services and helplines available to crime victims.
Judge in Westmeath cold-case murder trial summarises evidence
The judge in the Westmeath cold-case murder trial has been summarising the evidence for the jury.
Vera McGrath (61) has pleaded not guilty to murdering her 43-year-old husband, Bernard Brian McGrath, at their home in Lower Coole, Westmeath 23 years ago.
Her co-accused and former son-in-law, Colin Pinder (47), of Liverpool, England, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to Mr McGrath’s manslaughter between March 10 and April 18, 1987.
Mr Justice Edwards will continue reviewing the evidence today, after which he will send the eight men and three women out to deliberate.
Proposal on citizen rights during arrest
EU citizens travelling abroad will soon have the right to information in their own language listing their rights when arrested, under new rules proposed yesterday by the European Commission, writes Carol Coulter.
These ensure EU countries will inform anyone suspected or accused of a criminal offence of their rights in a language they understand.
These rights include the right to speak to a lawyer, to find out about the charge and to have an interpreter. Under the new rules anyone arrested or the subject of a European arrest warrant will have to be informed in writing with a Letter of Rights listing their basic rights.
Irish Rail challenges equality ruling
Iarnród Éireann has brought a High Court challenge to a High Court challenge to a “draconian” decision by an equality officer awarding an employee ¤189,000 over gender discrimination and victimisation by the company. Equality officer Orlaith Mannion had last November made the award to senior marketing department director, Monica Murphy. Yesterday, Mr Justice John Edwards began hearing Irish Rail’s proceedings against Ms Mannion in which it alleges she acted outside her powers.