A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Approval for 200m Arklow development welcomed
An Bord Pleanála's decision to approve plans for a €200 million commercial development in Arklow has been welcomed in the Co Wicklow town, writes Mark Kennedy.
Objections had stalled developer Graham Quinn's plans for shops, offices, 100 apartments, a 77-bed hotel and an open amphitheatre in the town centre for more than four years.
One of the grounds for objection was that the development could interfere with the habitat of bats in the ruins of Ormonde Castle. Councillor Nicky Kelly said: "This development is badly needed in Arklow where the town centre has suffered much commercial devastation over recent years."
Clampdown on roadside adverts
Galway County Council has announced a clampdown against opportunistic advertising along the M6 motorway between Dublin and Galway.
Businesses that park large trailers with advertising hoardings along the route will be subject to action “under planning legislation procedures”, the council said.
The move follows a proliferation of unauthorised hoardings on trailers in fields since the stretch of the motorway from Ballinasloe to Galway opened last year.
Murder trial over Waterford killing
A man charged with the murder of a father of one at a house in Waterford city in June was yesterday sent forward for trial, writes Ciarán Murphy.
Insp Anthony Pettit served the book of evidence on John Flaherty (24), of Ard Daire in Ferrybank in the city, at Waterford District Court.
The accused was charged with the murder of Patrick Murphy (27), a Co Dublin man who was living locally. The charges arose out of an attack on Mr Murphy at about 5.30am on June 20th last.