A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Inquiry into death in Japan of Irishman
An Irishman living in Japan has been killed following a suspected hit and run, the Department of Foreign Affairs has said.
Alan Buckley (32), from Wilton in Cork, was found lying on a road in Tomioka, Gunma Prefecture on Honshu Island at about 3.30am yesterday.
He was taken to the Gunma Prefecture University Hospital, but was pronounced dead within two hours later.
A postmortem will be carried out on his body today.
Local police are investigating the death as a possible hit and run.
Parents to appeal drowning ruling
The parents of an Irish student who drowned on holiday in Ibiza have appealed a court's decision to clear the boat captain accused of his manslaughter.
Spaniard Jose Ribas (46), was acquitted of the death of Limerick youngster Brazil Bourke after a one-day trial in June. He avoided a six-year jail sentence and was fined €1,800 after being found guilty of a lesser charge of failing to come to the aid of someone requiring help.
Now Mr Bourke's parents John and Mary have submitted a formal appeal to a higher regional court in the Balearic Islands. No date has been set for the appeal hearing, expected to take place in front of three judges.
Man rescued after 15ft fall into river
A 25-year-old man was rescued from a river in Co Clare last night after he fell 15ft from a wall and sustained serious injuries.
The incident occurred at about 6.30pm at the River Walk close to Woodquay in the centre of Ennis.
Gardaí, three units of the fire brigade and paramedics rushed to the scene.
The man fell from the wall at a location which was inaccessible to emergency vehicles.
He was being treated in hospital last night for injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening.
1,800 cyclists in closed-road event
More than 1,800 cyclists including sports stars and celebrities took part in Ireland's first closed-road mass participation cycle event yesterday in Co Clare.
The inaugural Sky Ride Etape Hibernia attracted cyclists from all over Ireland and the UK, as well as from throughout Europe and the US.
Participants cycled 82 miles of traffic-free roads in some of the West of Ireland's most scenic locations. Participants included cycling legend Sean Kelly and British Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis.
16 men to study to become priests
Sixteen men have begun studying to become Irish diocesan priests, ranging in age from the late 20s up to the early 60s, the Catholic press office has said.
About 10 seminarians will study at St Patrick's College, Maynooth and four more in St Malachy's College, Belfast.
One will study at the Irish College in Rome and one seminarian begins his studies in the Royal English College, Valladolid, in Spain.
Fr Patrick Rushe, Ireland's national co-ordinator for Diocesan Vocation Directors said he admired their "strength and conviction".