Other court news in brief
Riedo murder jury continue to deliberate
The jury in the trial of a Galway man accused of murdering Swiss teenager Manuela Riedo in October 2007 has been sent home for the night.
Gerald Barry (29), of Rosan Glas, Rahoon, Galway, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Manuela Riedo at Lough Atalia, Renmore, Galway on October 8th, 2007.
He has pleaded guilty to stealing a camera and a mobile phone at the same place on the same date.
The jury yesterday heard closing speeches from the prosecution and the defence.
The jury will resume its deliberations this morning.
Taxi murder case in final stages
The jury in the trial of a man and woman accused of murdering a taxi driver in Blanchardstown last year has now heard all prosecution evidence. Carlos Byrne (23) and Lindsey Fahy (26), both of Linnetsfield Square, Clonee, Co Meath, have pleaded not guilty to murdering Mark Smyth (31) at Fortlawn Avenue on March 18th, 2008.
Mr Justice Paul Butler heard legal argument yesterday in the absence of the jury which was told to return on Monday for the closing stages of the trial.
Suspended term for aid to robbers
A pregnant Meath woman has been given a five-year suspended sentence for possessing a gun and assisting convenience store robbers two years ago.
Emma Radford (34) of Johnstown Wood, Navan was convicted in January of possessing the sawn-off shotgun, handling stolen property and assisting two robbers at her home in The Crescent, Larchill, Coolock on February 22, 2007.
Her ex-partner, Stephen Darby (35) of The Crescent, Larchill, was jailed for eight years for armed robbery at Costcutters in Skerries, where he punched a store manager in the face.
Bail for youth over glass attack
A 17-year-old boy arrested for attacking his mother with a glass bottle when she refused to give him money has been remanded on continuing bail.
The teenager, who was accompanied by his mother, was remanded on bail to appear again in five weeks when he is to be served with the book of evidence. He has been charged with assault and criminal damage.
Court hears of INLA suspicions
A Garda chief superintendent told the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday that he believed a Dundalk man was a member of the INLA in December 2007.
Chief Supt Patrick McGee said this belief was based partly on “confidential information”. Anthony Lee (33), Carnbeg, Doylesfort Road, has pleaded not guilty to INLA membership.
Suspension lifted on union leader
A trade union leader suspended by his union after refusing to pass a picket on its own headquarters has secured a High Court order lifting his suspension pending a full court action.
Mr Justice Roderick Murphy yesterday granted Denis Farrell, deputy general secretary of the building trade union Batu, an injunction restraining Batu and general secretary Patrick O’Shaughnessy suspending him pending a full hearing.