Today's other stories in brief
Scam targets BBs with bogus cheques
Tourist accommodation providers are being targeted in an e-mail scam aimed at getting owners to transfer money to addresses in the UK and the US, gardaí in Killarney have warned.
Bogus cheques or bank drafts for sums far greater than accommodation fees are being sent with a request to return the surplus cash. So far at least three BBs in Killarney have received e-mails seeking to book accommodation as a surprise for a couple on honeymoon or celebrating an anniversary.
Cheques made out for up to €2,500 are being forwarded for three or four nights’ accommodation, with a request to return the balance. Killarney detectives said they suspected BBs around the country were also being targeted.
Five months for obstructing garda
A motorist who wrestled a drug-related device from a garda’s hands after it was found in his car was sentenced to five months in prison at Galway District Court yesterday.
John Ward (31), with addresses at 49 Innishannagh Park and 116 Laurel Park, Galway, pleaded guilty to obstructing a garda and to being found in possession of a “hash grinder” at Bothar le Cheile, Newcastle, Galway, on September 30th, 2007.
Garda Emma Waldron had sat into the driver’s seat of Ward’s car, from where she saw the grinder on the front passenger’s floor area. Ward went to the passenger’s side of the car, leaned in and wrestled the grinder from the garda’s grip, causing a small cut to one of her hands. He threw it on to a sports pitch, but it was retrieved by Garda Gerry Dunne.
Ward said it belonged to another man who had fled from the passenger’s seat seconds after gardaí stopped his car.
Defence solicitor Seán O’Carroll said his client did grab the grinder, but had not intentionally caused the injury to Garda Waldron’s hand.
Insp Pat McHugh said Ward had 21 previous convictions. Judge Mary Fahy imposed a five-month jail term on Ward for obstructing Garda Waldron.
A fine of €300 was imposed on Ward for being in possession of the drug grinder, and he was disqualified from driving for 12 months for using his car in the commission of a crime.
Inquest on death of boy (4) opens
An inquest heard yesterday how a four-year-old boy died of brain injuries after being hit by a coal lorry in Cork city.
Kelvin Purcell had been playing on a skateboard near his home at the Ardcullen Estate in Knocknaheeny on August 29th last when the incident occurred.
He was rushed to Cork University Hospital in a critical condition and died there on September 3rd.
The inquest into the death of Kelvin, from Ard Cullen, Hollyhill, was opened at Cork City Coroner’s Court yesterday.
The court heard the cause of death, according to Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster, was “brain swelling, contusion and lacerations with secondary brain damage due to a road traffic collision”.
Insp Ger O’Mahony made an application under the Coroner’s Act to have the inquest adjourned for at least three months while an investigation into the incident was ongoing. He said a file on the matter was to be submitted to the DPP.
Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane agreed to adjourn the case for mention to May 21st next.
Three quizzed over assault of man
A man is in hospital with serious head injuries following an assault in Carrick-on-Suir in south Tipperary.
The local man, in his 40s, was attacked on the North Quay in the town on Wednesday.
He is being treated at Waterford Regional Hospital, where he was to undergo surgery yesterday evening.
Three men in their 20s are in custody in Waterford Garda station, where they are being questioned over the assault.
They were arrested in the Dunmore East area on Thursday morning in connection with a separate incident.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the assault. Those with information can contact either Carrick-on-Suir Garda station on (051) 640024 or Waterford Garda station on (051) 874888.