In Short

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Three men jailed over bomb attack on auctioneer's office

Three members of a Kildare gang were yesterday jailed for bombing an auctioneer’s office in Roscommon.

Judge Michael White was told at Roscommon Circuit Court that the three gang members carried out the attack “for monetary gain”, but the reason for the bombing of the office of John Earley auctioneers was not outlined.

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Christopher Sheehan (21), of Castle Village Avenue, Celbridge, and Trevor Owen (32), of Fenview Heights, Milltown, Newbridge, were each jailed for three years. They admitted having possession of a pipe bomb and a petrol can with intent to damage property and also causing criminal damage on October 19th last year. A third member of the gang, Jonathan McDonagh (27), of Willow Brook Grove, Celbridge, pleaded guilty to having possession of a petrol can with intent to damage property. He was jailed for two years.

Sgt John Costello, who was praised by Judge White for investigating the “complex” case, said he had no doubt that the motivation for the attack was monetary gain.

Judge White said the offences were a very serious matter as he jailed the three men.

Air Corps aircraft in emergency landing

An Irish Air Corps aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing in Derry yesterday after experiencing engine problems, the second such incident involving the same aircraft in a week.

The Casa CN 235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft was involved in routine operations off the northwest coast when the crew was forced to shut down one of the plane’s two engines.

The crew of an Aer Lingus jet, which picked up the emergency call, relayed messages to air traffic controllers. The incident occurred at about 11.10am.

A Defence Forces spokesman confirmed: “an Air Corps Casa maritime patrol aircraft made an emergency landing at Eglinton Airport, Derry. All six crew members are safe and well. The aircraft was on a routine maritime patrol approximately 150 miles (240 kilometres) off the west coast when a warning light activated in the cockpit at approximately 11.10am.”

On October 22nd last, the same plane was forced to make an emergency landing at Kerry airport after a warning light indicated an engine problem.

500,000 worth of cannabis seized

Up to €500,000 worth of cannabis was seized in Co Wicklow by gardaí last night.

The cannabis herb was discovered at a grow-house in Cullenmore, Ashford, Co Wicklow.

The property was searched by the Garda national drugs unit under Operation Nitrogen.

It brings to 15 the number of such premises raided by gardaí since July. More than €4 million worth of the drug was seized during the operations.

Just last week more than €200,000 worth of cannabis plants were seized by gardaí in Rathfarnham, Co Dublin.

High-powered rifle seized in Limerick

A high-powered rifle and 25 rounds of ammunition were seized by gardaí in Limerick yesterday during searches on the north side of the city, writes Kathryn Hayes.

The gun was found on wasteland close to the Cliona Park housing estate in Moyross where gardaí were searching derelict houses.