A round-up of today's Irish news in brief
Three who fell ill at party let out of hospital
Three people were discharged from hospital early yesterday after being admitted with suspected overdoses of the illegal “rave” drug GHB.
They were among eight people who were admitted to Connolly Hospital on Sunday after possibly taking the drug, often known as “liquid ecstasy”, at a party on Saturday night.
Three people were admitted to intensive care and five were discharged on Sunday afternoon.
Gardaí said there had been no arrests so far in the investigation into the source of the illegal “rave” drug and that investigations were ongoing.
The party was held at three addresses in the Annaly estate, a quiet residential enclave off the Ongar Road, near Blanchardstown, Dublin.
Gardaí said a number of people at the party reported feeling unwell and were brought to hospital at about 5am. Gardaí said it was believed others, who had been at the party, but had not been admitted to hospital may have consumed the drug and urged them to seek medical attention.
Ronan O'Gara sued over property deal
Irish rugby international Ronan O’Gara is among a number of investors facing court action over alleged attempts to escape from property deals made at the peak of the boom.
Dublin’s Spencer Dock Development Company has taken legal proceedings against the group of investors, seeking court orders directing them to complete deals for apartments.
Barrister Gemma O’Farrell yesterday told county registrar Susan Ryan that Mr O’Gara, who is being sued for “specific performance” of a property deal, was now attempting to close the sale in the docklands development.
She said Spencer Dock Development Company Ltd, Connaught House, Burlington Road, Dublin, was agreeing to adjourn applications against him and five other defendants until the end of this month.
Court quashes murder conviction
The Court of Criminal Appeal has quashed a Limerick man’s conviction for the killing of a 23-year-old man and has directed a retrial.
Tony O’Brien (26), Baker Place, Limerick, was sentenced in 2007 to 10 years’ imprisonment for the manslaughter of Keith Ryan in Limerick city on May 25th, 2006.
Mr O’Brien had pleaded not guilty to the offence.
Yesterday, the Court of Criminal Appeal, with Ms Justice Fidelma Macken presiding and sitting with Mr Justice Daniel Herbert and Mr Justice Michael Hanna, ruled Mr O’Brien’s conviction was unsafe and should be set aside.
FF to discuss Magdalen issue
The question of redress for women who had been in Magdalen laundries is to be discussed at the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party today.
Dublin South TD Tom Kitt has already been in correspondence with Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe on the matter, but little progress has been made.
Seven women who had been in the laundries are due to meet officials for discussions at the Department of Justice and Law reform next Wednesday.
Maureen Sullivan, Kathleen Egg, Mary Smyth, Maureen Taynor, Mary Collins, Sadie Williams and Marina Fitzgerald took part in the documentary The Forgotten Maggies which was shown at this year’s Galway Film Fleadh.
FG TDs celebrate birth of son
Fine Gael TDs Olwyn Enright and Joe McHugh are celebrating the birth of their son, Darragh Thomas McHugh.
Laois-Offaly TD Ms Enright gave birth to the baby boy on Sunday afternoon last. A spokesperson for Ms Enright said that mother and baby were both doing well.