A round-up of today's other home news
Bus Éireann plan to reduce bus numbers
Bus Éireann is expected to set out plans for cutbacks in bus numbers, possible job losses and the introduction of work practice changes at meetings with unions today, writes
Martin Wall, Industry Correspondent
The company has said it is facing potential losses of up to €30 million this year. It is expected to say it will be reducing 150 vehicles from its fleet.
Earlier this year the company indicated it was planning to introduce 322 redundancies, including those of 110 drivers, as part of its cost-saving proposals.
The company is also expected to propose changes in work practices and conditions for remaining staff.
Members of the National Bus and Rail Union at the company voted for industrial action against the cutbacks in February.
Last month bus services in Dublin were affected by an unofficial strike involving drivers at Dublin Bus who were protesting at changes introduced as part of its cost-saving programme.
Warning of risk to free speech
The Humanist Association of Ireland (HAI) has called on Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern to reconsider his proposal to make a new crime of blasphemy “as it could imperil the right to free speech for all citizens”, writes Patsy McGarry
Querying why Mr Ahern felt “impelled” to introduce such legislation, HAI chairman Dick Spicer went on to ask how, at the same time, the Minister can then “continue to ignore the Supreme Court call for legislation in the area of abortion?”
He said the HAI had “a principled objection to any attempt to introduce the crime of blasphemy into legislation” as it amounted to “a threat to free speech and a threat to religious freedom”.
He said that “no two religions agree on every theological point of view, and adherents of each must be free to express those views even if they are considered blasphemous by the adherents of a different religion. In fact, one person’s ‘blasphemy’ is another’s sincere belief”.
Pointing out that, while the HAI supported the freedom of religion and conscience, he said it also held that “no religious or philosophical beliefs should be protected from vigorous criticism and challenge”.
Ex-solder jailed over firearm
A former soldier was jailed for three and a half years by the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday after he pleaded guilty to having a Glock semi-automatic pistol and 50 rounds of ammunition in Dundalk last year.
Thomas Kell (26), a father of two of Killinarden estate, Tallaght, Dublin, pleaded guilty to having the pistol and ammunition at Castletown Road, Dundalk, Co Louth, on July 19th last year.
Mr Justice Paul Butler said Kelly had pleaded guilty to what the court regards as “a most serious offence”. He said the court had taken into account Kelly’s early guilty plea and it sentenced him to five years’ imprisonment but suspended the final 18 months.
Det Garda Charlie Geoghegan said gardaí who were keeping a pub car park in Dundalk under surveillance saw Kelly driving an Audi car into the car park. A short time later another car drove in and parked beside Kelly’s car. Kelly handed a Meteor phone box to the male passenger in the other car. Armed gardaí then arrested the occupants of the two cars. The phone box was found to contain a Glock pistol and ammunition.