A roundup of today's other home news in brief
National stud chief resigns after 27 years
John Clarke, chief executive of the Irish National Stud, has announced he is to step down from his position after 27 years.
Mr Clarke (59) plans to go out on his own as a bloodstock consultant.
He has been associated with horses including Indian Ridge, Invincible Spirit, and Sea The Stars.
Mr Clarke said that he felt the time was right to go out on his own.
“Twenty-seven years in the same position is a long time and, despite the current difficulties of the industry, the long-term future of the stud is bright.”
He has not yet set a date for his departure.
Chryss O’Reilly, chairwoman of the Irish National Stud, said Mr Clarke had made an enormous contribution to the success of the stud.
Homeless moved for appearance
Many homeless people spend their lives being moved from one service provider to another to create the impression that their lives are improving, a conference in Athlone heard last night.
Alice Leahy, campaigner on homeless issues, said this was happening because there was an over-reliance on “benchmarks” and “performance indicators”.
“If they [homeless people] stay in a hostel too long, they are asked to move out to create the false image that they have been helped out of their ‘chaotic lifestyle’.” She was speaking at the opening of the Irish Council for Social Housing’s conference.
Three killed on roads in 48 hours
Gardaí are investigating three fatal road incidents which occurred in the last 48 hours.
They have renewed their appeal for information from anyone about the death in Dublin yesterday of a 51-year-old cyclist.
The man was killed when his bicycle was in collision with an articulated truck on the south quays. The incident happened at 8.20am at Wellington Quay. He was pronounced dead at St James’s Hospital. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to contact Pearse Street Garda station on 01 666 9000.
In Co Offaly, a 24-year-old motorcyclist was killed when his vehicle was in collision with a car on the Roscrea to Kinnitty road, shortly before 7pm on Monday.
He died at the scene. The driver of the car was taken to Tullamore General Hospital, but was not seriously injured.
Earlier on Monday, at about 4pm, an An Post driver aged 32 from Lifford, Co Donegal, died when his van was in crashed into with a stationary combine harvester near Raphoe, Co Donegal.
DUP planning Bill on victim definition
The DUP is proposing to bring a private members’ Bill before the Northern Assembly this term that would preclude republican and loyalist paramilitaries from being categorised as victims of the Troubles, reports Gerry Moriarty.
First Minister Peter Robinson and Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson, as a prelude to the Bill, yesterday launched a four-week consultation document aimed at garnering public support for their attempt to change the current official definition of a victim.
Mr Robinson said that Sinn Féin, which insists there must be “no hierarchy of victims”, is likely to seek a petition of concern in the Assembly whereby passing such a motion would require the support of both the DUP and Sinn Féin.