A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Kearney trial adjourned over funeral
The jury hearing the trial of Brian Kearney, who is charged with murdering his wife Siobhán, did not sit yesterday after confusion over when a jury member had to attend the funeral of her grandmother.
Brian Kearney (50), Carnroe, Knocknashee, Goatstown, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife on February 28th, 2006.
The jury was not expected to sit today after the court was told a juror needed to attend a funeral, but yesterday morning Mr Justice Barry White said there had been some confusion and the funeral was yesterday.
He adjourned the case until today. Denis Vaughan Buckley SC, prosecuting, said he expected the prosecution case to close today.
Mr Justice White said he did not know yet if the defence, led by Patrick Gageby SC, intended on calling evidence. He said matters had progressed a lot more hastily than had been anticipated. "It seems to me the trial is likely to finish, certainly by the middle of next week," Mr Justice White told the jury.
Sentenced for prison riot
The final inmate in a group of six who took part in a St Stephen's Day riot at St Patrick's Institution Dublin in which four prison officers were injured has received a three-year sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Patricia Ryan had adjourned the case of Jonathan Donovan (23), O'Devaney Gardens, Dublin last week after handing down two and three-year sentences to the other five.
She suspended the final year of all the terms due to the young age of the men and the punishment they already received while in St Patrick's.
Robber set dog on man
A robber who set his dog on a man after robbing his son's mobile phone has been given a three-year sentence by Judge Frank O'Donnell at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Peter White (22) Casement Drive, Finglas shouted at Brian O'Grady as he cycled off after instructing his Alsatian dog to attack him. White, a chronic drug addict who had 67 previous convictions, including several for failing to muzzle and leash his dog, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr O'Grady and robbery of his son on January 8th, 2005.
Four years for foiling arrest
A "getaway driver" has been jailed for four years for impeding the arrest of two men who have since been jailed for their armed robbery of a pharmacy.
Kim Kavanagh (31), Blackhall Court Apartments, Manor Street, Dublin was photographed by a concerned citizen after he shouted at her not to litter the place when she tried to dump a bag following the robbery. She was convicted of "impeding apprehension" by a jury which also found her not guilty of the robbery of Dillon's Pharmacy, Manor Street and of dangerous driving on April 3rd, 2006.