A round-up of today's other courts news in brief
Murder case jury sent home for night
The jury at the trial of a Dublin man accused of murder has been sent home for the night. New legislation that came in on January 1st this year allows for a deliberating jury to be sent home rather than to a hotel.
Brian Rattigan (28), Cooley Road, Drimnagh, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Declan Gavin (20), Mourne Road, Drimnagh, at Crumlin Road, Crumlin, on August 25th, 2001.
Mr Justice Barry White yesterday told the jurors that they must ignore the fact that Rattigan was currently serving cumulative sentences of 13 years and that they “cannot treat him differently than someone who has never been in trouble before”.
Sale contract must be completed
A couple has settled their legal action aimed at compelling a company to honour a contract for the sale of a house and 15 acres in Co Dublin for €6 million.
Patrick and Eileen Conway, Kilbride House, Baldonnel, Co Dublin, initiated proceedings in the Commercial Court last October seeking an order for specific performance of the contract of August 23rd, 2007. The action was against Dasnoc Ltd, The Mall, Beacon Court, Sandyford, Dublin.
The couple claimed a completion notice was served on Dasnoc on April 1st last but the defendant had failed or refused to complete the sale. The hearing of the case was due to open before Mr Justice Brian McGovern yesterday, but after some hours of talks, he was told by John Hennessy SC that the case had been settled and could be struck out with an order for the plaintiff’s costs.
Mr Justice McGovern made those orders.
Woman settles libel action
A woman has settled her High Court libel action against a Sunday newspaper on terms including an apology by the newspaper over distress caused to her and her family by an article which referred to her as an “anarchist”.
Miranda Egan-Langley (28), Kyle, Bellaghmore, Co Laois, had sued Associated Newspapers (Ireland) arising out of the article published by Ireland on Sunday on May 9th, 2004.
Following talks between lawyers, Paul O’Higgins SC, for Ms Egan-Langley, told Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne yesterday the case had been resolved.
€215,000 award for fatal crash
The family and two children of a motorcyclist who died from injuries sustained in a road crash have secured €215,000 in settlement of their High Court action.
Edward Carter (24), Annagh, Gorey, Co Wexford, died after his motorbike was in collision with a vehicle driven by Declan Fleming, also of Annagh, Gorey, on March 26th, 2001, near Hollyfort, Gorey, Co Wexford.
Neither was insured and the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) was joined to the action. The settlement is against the MIBI.
Libel action against newspaper settled
A Co Louth man has settled his High Court claim against a Sunday newspaper for libel. Jim Feehan, Termonfeckin, Co Louth, had sued Mirror Group Newspapers, publishers of the People newspaper over an article published on February 2001.
After talks yesterday, Michael O’Higgins SC, for Mr Feehan, told Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne that the case had been settled.