More news in brief...
Man critical after stabbing in Donegal
A MAN was in critical condition in a Letterkenny hospital last night after being stabbed in Donegal yesterday morning. Kristian Shortt (28), the son of Frank Shortt, was found lying unconscious in a pool of blood in a Letterkenny apartment by local gardaí at around 7am.
His father Frank spent three years in jail due to a wrongful conviction of allowing drugs to be sold at his night club, The Point Inn, in Inishowen.
Gardaí were called to the apartment after receiving a call from a man at 6.45am. The man was arrested at the scene and is said to be helping gardaí with their inquiries. Gardaí are also looking for a second man in relation to the incident in which Mr Shortt was said to have been stabbed up to 30 times.
Case against Brother halted
The jury has been discharged in the trial of a De La Salle brother accused of abusing a former resident at a children's institution for young offenders more than 20 years ago. The 56-year-old man had pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three counts of indecent assault, one count of buggery and one count of gross indecency against the then 12-year-old complainant between March 1st, 1985, and September 2nd, 1986. Judge Frank O'Donnell told the jury that "certain matters" had arisen that could "taint proceedings" if the trial continued.
Man may have assets seized
A Dublin man jailed for three years and fined €24,000 last March for running a city centre brothel faces a possible application at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for confiscation of his assets. Martin Morgan (44) was convicted in February of organising prostitution and running a brothel.
The jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts that he organised prostitution and ran a brothel at a Bachelors Walk apartment from August 22nd to October 10th, 2005.
Morgan, formerly of Blacksheep Road, Blanchardstown, and with addresses at Blackstock Road, London, and Herbert Lane, Ballsbridge, denied three charges at the start of his 18-day trial. Judge O'Donnell adjourned the case for a fortnight on the application of Fergal Foley, prosecuting, to discuss a possible application for confiscation of assets.
Man faces road death trial
A man has been sent forward for trial for dangerous driving causing the death of Gillian Drinan (25) on August 24th. Lukasz Lachowski (26), a Polish national, Edward Street, Kilmallock, Co Limerick, is also charged with drink-driving in Cork city.
Ms Drinan, Ballincollig, Co Cork, suffered multiple injuries when her car was struck by Mr Lachowski's vehicle and she died shortly afterwards. Mr Lachowski has been in custody since and made no application for bail when he appeared before Cork District Court yesterday.
Gardaí had earlier objected to bail, saying he posed a flight risk. Judge Uinsinn Mac Gruairc remanded him in custody to Cork Circuit Criminal Court on October 28th.
Kerry road death cyclist named
The cyclist who died in a road crash near Ardfert, Co Kerry, on Wednesday night has been named locally as John Donnelly, Ardrahan, Ardfert.