A round-up of today's Irish news stories in brief
Man settles action over gravel on road
A man who sustained severe injuries rendering him paraplegic after his car went out of control when it hit loose gravel on a stretch of road in Co Limerick has settled his High Court action.
It was alleged there were no warning signs or lights indicating ongoing roadworks at the scene of the incident at Drombanna, between Limerick and Kilmallock, on May 3rd, 2007.
Jimmy Chung (46), a father of three, Hillcroft Close, St Patrick’s Road, Limerick, had sued Limerick County Council, Roadstone Provinces Ltd and Roadstone Dublin Ltd.
The defendants had denied there were no warning signs.
Woman settles her case against Garda
A woman who sued the Garda Commissioner and the State alleging she was falsely imprisoned and assaulted by gardaí investigating the controversial death of cattle dealer Richie Barron in Co Donegal in 1996 has settled her High Court action.
Katrina Brolly (50), Guesthouse End, Raphoe, Co Donegal, who was held over 12 hours, sought damages for alleged false imprisonment, assault, emotional and physical harm, neglect, breach of duty and breach of her constitutional rights.
No details were revealed in court and afterwards both sides said the terms of settlement were confidential.
Man found guilty of possessing weapon
A man accused of pointing a loaded gun at gardaí while resisting arrest has been convicted of possessing the weapon in suspicious circumstances.
Ian Dutton (46) of Greenfort Lawns, Clondalkin, Dublin, has been found guilty of possessing a Glock semi-automatic pistol and ammunition in suspicious circumstances, possession of a firearm and ammunition without a certificate at Greenfort Crescent on October 4th, 2005, and obstructing a garda.
Dutton had pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to these charges and another count of producing a firearm for the purpose of resisting arrest.
The jury has yet to make its decision on this further count.
Gilligan fails to have phone case struck out
Convicted criminal John Gilligan (57) has failed in his bid to have a charge under the 2007 Prisons Act struck out during a sitting of Portlaoise District Court yesterday.
Gilligan was representing himself on charges of possessing a mobile phone and sim card at Portlaoise Prison on July 30th, 2008.
State Solicitor Donal Dunne told Judge Gerard Haughton that new evidence had come to light following negotiations with telecommunications service providers.
Gilligan objected to the introduction of new evidence. “As far as I remember there was a trial date fixed for this on October 29th”, he argued.
Judge Haughton adjourned the case to Portlaoise District Court on November 19th. A date would then be fixed to hear the prosecution evidence, he said.
Gilligan could face a five-year prison sentence. He is due for release in 2013.
Council defends Castletown plan
Kildare County Council has defended its decision to grant planning permission for a housing estate on protected lands opposite Castletown House in Celbridge.
Senior executive planner Aoife Brangan told a Bord Pleanála hearing that the council stood over its decision to approve the construction of 84 houses.
The developers, Devondale Ltd, are asking An Bord Pleanála to grant permission for 101 houses on the site, which is on the opposite side of the river to the early 18th-century stately home. Several appellants said the proposal conflicts with the county development plan.
Clean up after floods under way
A clean-up operation was under way yesterday after heavy rains caused flooding in several counties on Wednesday night.
Heavy rainfall swept the country for a number of hours, with the south and east worst affected.
Met Éireann said while the rainfall – between 10 and 20mm in some places – was not unusual for the time of the year. It fell over a short period of time, causing flash floods in some areas.
Cork was badly affected, with areas around Carrigaline, Kinsale and Cashel, Co Tipperary flooding. Many approach roads to Kinsale were damaged.
Limerick mayor sorry for remarks
The mayor of Limerick has apologised for any offence he caused when calling for the deportation of EU nationals who failed to secure employment in the Republic.
Remarks made by Fine Gael councillor Kevin Kiely in a local newspaper interview and subsequent media interviews were branded “racist”, and resulted in calls for his resignation.
In a statement, Mr Kiely said he regretted his comments. “I unreservedly withdraw my initial remarks.”
Gardaí appeal for help in finding girl
Gardaí in Finglas, Dublin are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 16-year-old Erica Quinn, who has been missing since November 7th.
Erica is described as 5ft 7in, of a slim build with long black hair and blue eyes. When she was last seen she was wearing blue jeans and a pink hoody.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Finglas Garda station on 01-666 7500.