A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Brief halt to murder trial as son takes ill
Proceedings in the Spanish trial of a Co Louth man for the killing of his wife had to be halted temporarily yesterday when the couple's son, now aged 11, took ill as he gave his evidence, writes Karl McLaughlin in Madrid.
The evidence was taken in camera and centred on the boy's recollection of events. He is reported to have told relatives at the time that his father pushed his mother over the balcony.
The murder trial of Michael Dermot McArdle enters its fourth day today in Malaga's Criminal Court. The 39-year-old from Dundalk is accused of killing his wife by throwing her from the fourth-floor balcony of their Costa del Sol hotel after a row during a family holiday in August 2000.
Kelly-Anne Corcoran (28) died from massive head injuries sustained in the fall. Mr McArdle says she tripped as she tried to prevent her young son from climbing on to the rail.
The court yesterday heard from Mr McArdle's father, also called Dermot, who strenuously denied previous claims made in court by members of the Corcoran family and a family friend, Kenneth McKevitt, that his son had assaulted his wife on a number of occasions during their five-year marriage.
Call to improve care for elderly
Doctors throughout Ireland and the North have called on the Government and Stormont to dramatically improve standards of care for older people.
The British Medical Association Northern Ireland and the Irish Medical Organisation yesterday set out recommendations which, they say, would have a significant impact on the standards of care for older people. Care of Older People on the Island of Irelandcalls for cross-Border initiatives to improve healthcare as well as integration and co-ordination of services.
The plans urge the recruitment and retention of skilled healthcare staff as well as "person-centred care", improved communication and measures to improve social inclusion. Doctors also want to see efforts to improve nutritional care.
Remove mental stigma - bishop
Nobody should take their mental health for granted as people from all walks of life are susceptible to psychological problems, the Bishop of Killala, Dr John Fleming, has said.
Dr Fleming said the public should work to remove the lingering stigma sometimes attached to mental illness. "We need to jettison the taboo around discussing the issue, and our discussions ought to be non-judgmental,"he said.
He was speaking ahead of the Catholic Church's Day for Life, which this year focuses attention on mental health. At masses on Sunday a joint pastoral letter will be read from the Catholic bishops of Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales.
"Our key message is twofold: nobody is immune from mental ill health and, in the interest of the common good, every citizen has a responsibility to promote, directly or otherwise, the mental health of all the members of our society and of our local communities," Bishop Fleming said.
Lifelong ban on owning dogs
A man was yesterday banned by a judge from owning dogs for the rest of his life. John McArt admitted being cruel to a German shepherd called Max at his home in Kincraigy, Rooskey, Manorcunningham, Co Donegal, on November 12th last year.
ISPCA inspector Kevin McGinley told Letterkenny District Court that he found the animal tied to a mobile home without food, water or shelter. Its coat was matted and it had severe infections in both ears. The dog was treated at a veterinary clinic for 11 days before being moved to the ISPCA in Co Longford. A new home has been found for Max.
McArt had a previous conviction for cruelty to a horse. He was fined €200 and banned from keeping dogs.